UE NEWS Updates

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Ten-Week Strike Wins “Substantial Improvements” for Locals 506 and 618

September 2, 2023

On June 22, after nearly two months of negotiations, the 1,400 members of UE Locals 506 and 618 voted down Wabtec’s last, best and final offer. Ten weeks later, they ratified a new contract that “represents a substantial improvement over what Wabtec had on the table in June,” according to Local 506 President Scott Slawson. “We are proud of the resolve of the membership over 70 days on the picket line. As a result of the action taken by our members, we made both economic and non-economic gains.”

Coordinated Bargaining Brings Coast-to-Coast Gains for USCIS Service Center Workers

September 2, 2023

USCIS Service Center workers at UE Locals 208, 808, and 1008 ratified new three-year agreements with federal contractor ITC Federal in June. Their union contracts cover nearly one thousand federal contract workers who process nonimmigrant visa petitions for USCIS in Essex Junction, VT (208), Lincoln, NE (808), and Laguna Niguel, CA (1008).

Amid the threat of coming layoffs, the locals united in an aggressive, coordinated contract fight, winning massive economic gains and beating back all of ITC’s concessionary demands.

Smooth Talks and a Satisfactory Contract for Local 121

September 2, 2023

The 60 members of UE Local 121 who work for Clendenin Brothers ratified a new five-year contract in May. Local 121 members manufacture industrial fasteners.

Local 121 President Marcus Davis, who was elected shortly before negotiations began, called the experience “thrilling and interesting. It was a good experience.” Treasurer Sheldon Brooks added, “The contract talks went pretty smoothly this year.”

Leadership and Staff Development Program Participants Learn on the Picket Lines

September 2, 2023

Participants in the second cohort of UE’s Leadership and Staff Development Program met at the UE Local 506 hall in June for a few days of workshops and experiences on the picket lines outside the Wabtec plant. As these rank-and-file members traveled to Erie from around the country, UE Locals 506 and 618 were taking a vote on whether to accept Wabtec’s last contract offer or go on strike.

First Contract at Refresco

September 2, 2023

After 11 and a half months of negotiations and struggle, and two years after they first voted to join UE, workers at the Refresco bottling plant ratified their first union contract on June 29 and 30; workers received immediate pay raises when it went into effect the next day. The contract includes significant pay increases, strong health and safety language, and protections against workers being forced to work 12-hours shifts, all major issues that fueled the organizing campaign.

UE Local 770 Honors David Disbrow, Fights for Safety and Dignity at Work

September 2, 2023

On August 3, 2023 Local 770 member David Disbrow died from an ongoing health condition while performing regular job duties at his workstation at Hendrickson Suspension, a manufacturing facility for medium and heavy-duty mechanical vehicle suspensions. While there is no evidence that working conditions contributed directly to Dave’s death, the company’s inadequate response to his passing did not honor Dave or protect his coworkers. Steward Tony Lowry said, “There was only one garbled announcement, at first no one knew what was going on. Now everyone is asking, ‘will the company do the same thing if this happens to me at work?’”

Parental Leave, $3/Hour Wage Increase Among Highlights of New Local 267 Contract

September 2, 2023

The over 300 service and maintenance workers who maintain and clean the University of Vermont’s buildings, grounds, and other physical infrastructure received a “historically high” wage increase of $3 per hour on July 1 thanks to UE Local 267’s new three-year contract. They will also now be able to take up to eight weeks of paid parental leave upon birth or adoption of a child.

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