UE Local 696, whose members work at Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, ratified a new three-year agreement on June 24. For the first time, members will be compensated based on a wage scale — a pay structure that the local has been seeking since its inception in 2021. The year one average wage increase will be over 12 percent, with all members receiving a minimum increase of six percent in the first year.
Both bargaining units of UE Local 269 ratified new contracts in May after negotiating with Erving Industries. The workers agreed to a five-year contract with an overall pay raise of two percent in the first year, two percent in the second year, and 2.5 percent in the third, fourth, and fifth years. The members in the paper-making part of the plant ratified on the first day of May and the water treatment plant members ratified the same contract at the end of May.
Members of Local 1018 who work at Lanterman Regional Center, a non-profit organization, won a three-year contract in late June after going on strike for 12 days. The strike began June 11 when the company refused to make an acceptable offer on raises and seniority benefits. After the almost two-week strike, the members won a 4.5 percent raise in the first year and reopeners in the second and third year with a minimum guaranteed raise of one percent each year and the right to strike during the reopener negotiations.
Members of Local 329 ratified a three-year contract with Kennedy Valve on May 31. The contract includes the second-highest raises they have seen — a 15 percent wage increase over the life of the contract. They will also stay on their existing insurance, after a fight when the company pushed to switch their plan. Restrictions on the boss's ability to impose mandatory overtime are among the most significant gains.
UE Local 770 has a close relationship with Local 728 in Williamsburg, KY, and when they heard how Local 728 members were affected by tornadoes in May they wanted to do something to aid their fellow UE members.
After running a contract campaign that included a unanimous strike authorization from the rank and file and activation of its strike machinery, UE Local 622 ratified a new five-year agreement on May 18.
UE Local 610 ratified a three-year agreement on May 6 after a unanimous strike authorization vote from the rank and file and rallies at the plant during break times leading up to contract expiration convinced their employer, Wabtec, to agree to an acceptable contract.
Three sublocals of UE Local 222, a statewide amalgamated public-sector local, have settled new contracts in the past six months.
Members of UE Local 248 who work as cafeteria workers and custodians for the Old Rochester Regional School District won a 10.5 percent wage increase over the life of their new four-year contract. Members will receive 2.75 percent raises the first and second year and 2.5 percent in the third and fourth year. They also won protections against overwork. When a substitute cannot be provided for the cafeteria, each person working will get a two dollar increase for the time worked.
The UE General Executive Board (GEB) met in Pittsburgh on May 28 and 29. The union’s highest decision-making body in between conventions, the GEB is made up of eight elected rank-and-file members from each geographical region, along with the three national officers.
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