UE NEWS Updates

Members of Local 770 at Hendrickson Suspension won big in recent mid-contract bargaining. These 84 members manufacture medium and heavy-duty mechanical vehicle suspensions and components to the global commercial transportation industry. The company approached Local 770 leadership in early 2022 about raising wages for entry-level positions, but the local successfully organized to get fair raises for everyone, eliminate the long-standing inequity in the pension, and address excessive mandatory overtime.

UE Local 115 members from the Refresco bottling plant in Wharton, NJ attempted to bring their concerns about conditions in their plant to the corporate headquarters of private equity firm KKR on Tuesday, February 28. It was the second attempt the workers have made to meet with KKR, which owns a majority stake in Refresco. For a second time, KKR refused to meet with the workers.

“We went to the building, we tried to talk to someone at KKR, and did it respectfully,” said Refresco worker Pamela Burgos. “All we’re asking for is equal rights and our rights as workers. We just want to be able to have a meeting with them so we can discuss our issues.”

UE Local 1135 ratified a new three-year agreement with its new employer, Stryten Energy (members were formerly employed by Tulip Corp), on November 10, 2022. Local 1135 members manufacture lead acid batteries used in cars, boats and submarines. 

Members of Local 208 in Vermont and Local 1008 in California will begin working for a new federal contractor, IT Coalition (ITC), on February 1. ITC presently employs UE members at Local 808 in Lincoln, NE. The handoff in contractors occurs while UE's SCA Service Center locals are working under the threat of increasing automation, which could decimate bargaining unit work over the next three years.