Workers at the IKEA Distribution Center in Perryville launched a strike against their employer Friday, saying that they are seeking fair wages and seniority protections.

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 460, District 4, voted Thursday against the company’s proposed contract and to begin a strike. The work stoppage started at midnight with about 320 workers walking off the job and union members picketed line outside the facility.

The workers are seeking fair wages that are on track with the cost of living and demonstrate their hand in IKEA’s success, a union release said.

“Our members have been upfront about wanting a fair contract that addresses seniority and fair wages from the beginning,” Mark Bittner, president of IAM Local Lodge I460, said in a news release. “The seniority issue was discussed at the beginning of the contract and we don’t feel like we need the changes proposed by IKEA.”

The IAM union represents more than 600,000 current and retired workers in North America from the automotive, defense, transportation and other industries, and companies such as Boeing, Harley-Davidson and Southwest Airlines, among others.

The Perryville IKEA distribution center opened in 2002, according to the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce website, and now moves products to 39 stores across the U.S. and Canada.

“Our members are the backbone of the IKEA distribution center,” said David Sullivan, IAM Eastern territory general vice president. “They deserve a contract that reflects their hard work, years of service, and dedication. The IAM will provide the necessary resources to ensure our members in Perryville get the respect and dignity they deserve.”

The issues the union is fighting for aren’t unreasonable requests, IAM Special Representative Tiwaan Bradley said in the release, adding that the union has been working to avoid a strike by gaining a fair contract in negotiations.

“We remain open to going back to the table, our members are here to send a clear message that we will stand strong together on the picket line until our issues are resolved,” Bradley said.

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