Workers at the Milk-Bone manufacturing plant in Buffalo have gone on strike for what they say are the company's unfair labor practices.

The strike impacts 165 local members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International union.

The workers are reporting an alleged increased cost to their health care, low wages and the company’s alleged disrespect for the law and its employees.

“The union members had hoped to improve their sub-par medical plan when they entered bargaining,” said Roger Miller, chief negotiator and BCTGM International vice president. “Instead, the company proposed to increase the cost of it. This is a deal-breaker, especially since it would offset any wage increase they were able to win.”

In response, Milk-Bone's parent company, J.M. Smucker, issued this statement:

"We were disappointed to learn of the Buffalo BCTGM Local 36G Union’s decision to strike. We have a strong track record of providing competitive wages and benefits to all employees and have always engaged fairly and transparently in our negotiations with our Union partners. Regarding our negotiations with the BCTGM, we are confident the agreement put forward was not only fair but competitive based on the current market. While we manage this issue, we remain committed to delivering on the needs of consumers. We have enacted contingency plans including shipping existing inventory and leveraging complementary labor to support production. We will also maintain production of our Milk-Bone dog snacks at our other manufacturing facilities as well as several co-packers."

The union bargaining committee also claims a letter the company sent to workers during negotiations illegally threatened and intimidated union members and their families.