Trouble brewing at Iowa Ordnance Plant far from Ukrainian frontline. On Friday, a number of contracts with trade unions will expire. And 500 workers belonging to 10 unions may leave their jobs.

Failure to agree on new contracts could weaken US ammunition supply chains. Forbes writes that if the plant stops working for a long time, it could jeopardize the flow of critical ammunition for the Ukrainian army..

Exact information about what exactly the plant in Iowa is currently producing is non-public.. But the company is owned by the US Army and is managed by American Ordinance.. The plant is believed to produce several types of ammunition for land weapons, including 40mm grenades, components for 60mm, 81mm and 120mm mortar shells, 120mm tank ammunition, and 155mm shells for various artillery systems.. The Iowa plant is also believed to produce explosive pods and a range of missile components, including warheads for the FGM-148 Javelin and FIM-92 Stinger.. U.S. Army sources and contract data indicate that the facility is capable of producing M982 Excalibur warheads, mines, precision-guided long-range artillery ammunition, and other specialty explosive products..

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Employees at the Iowa Army Ordnance Plant are doing a dangerous job in which, as Zach Peterson, a business agent at Teamsters 238, said, " Without union workers, the plant, built during World War II, will not be able to produce modern ammunition, which the United States quite possibly sends to the Ukrainian army..

Forbes writes that even in the best of times, negotiations for a contract with unions at the plant are not easy.. But given the serious implications for Ukraine's national security and defense, the U.S. government would be better off addressing potential issues now and, if necessary, intervening to force workers and plant management to come to an understanding..

The publication writes that trade unions are dissatisfied with the level of wages, insurance conditions and the number of vacation days, as well as the policy on COVID-19.

“American Ordnance pays less compensation than the biscuit factory located on the same street. It pays better and charges lower premiums for employee health care,” Peterson said..

Forbes writes that American Ordnance is forcing workers to take sick days or take vacation days when they are forced to stay at home due to COVID-19 infection or contact with a sick person.. Therefore, employees come to work sick and infect others, fearing that they will not be paid for two weeks or even more.. But during the negotiations, a company representative literally ridiculed staff complaints about COVID-19 regulations, saying that he was “not interested in paying employees with snot”. Unwillingness to make concessions can lead to the fact that the conflict will go beyond the state of Iowa. Because American Ordinance is part of Day \u0026 Zimmermann, a Philadelphia-based private conglomerate that employs 51,000 people..

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Teamsters 238 has already told its members they can go on strike if need be.. The remaining nine trade unions at the plant have not yet made any statements.. However, it will not be easy for American Ordinance to negotiate with 10 organizations at once.. And they can drag on.

There have already been strikes at the Iowa plant.. In 2016, members of two trade unions left their jobs and refused to work for almost a month.

Forbes writes that at least a short shutdown of the Iowa Army Ordnance Plant already seems imminent.. But a long strike could have a wide range of implications for the US military, Ukraine and other allies dependent on US supplies for land systems.. Russia would only stand to gain if a key Western munitions producer suddenly shuts down operations for months.