In a tough fight for their second contract as UE members, Local 1110 members at Republic Windows & Doors showed that they still have the fighting spirit that helped them organize into UE in 2004. Workers defeated the company’s regressive bargaining tactics and, in an industry badly impacted by the depressed housing market, won a new three-year agreement that increases their wages by $1.60, and retains the gains they made in their first contact.
Bargaining began in February, but the slow progress of the first few weeks was wiped out in mid-April. That’s when the company suddenly withdrew its original proposals and introduced much worse demands that would have gutted the contract. The union responded with unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board, but more importantly, pushed back with rank-and-file action. On May 22, 70 members on their lunch break marched into the plant’s front office and demanded to see the company president. They presented a petition, signed by 95 percent of the workers, warning the company to change the way it was negotiating if it wished to avoid a strike. When the president tried to argue with them, members just became more angry and outspoken; by the end of the meeting the boss was expressing his respect for every worker and promising a change in the company’s bargaining approach.
Workers also wore stickers that read “Fair Contract or Strike,” and conducted a huge practice picketing on May 28 – just three days before contract expiration. Their unity and actions turned the situation around and resulted in a solid agreement, reached on May 30 and ratified on May 31.
The new contract brings raises of 30 cents the first year, 60 cents the second year and 70 cents the third. Workers also achieved their goal of keeping healthcare affordable. Workers’ weekly portion of premium costs, which were $7.26 single/$28.79 family in the final year of the old contract, increase slightly in each year of the new contract, to $10.50/34.00; $13.00/38.00; and $15.00/43.00. The plan provides with no deductibles and small $10 co-pays.
Job security was one of the union’s main concerns. The new contract adds language saying the contract remains in effect if the plant moves to a new location within 40 miles, and workers will have the opportunity to transfer. The company also agrees to give the union notice before any outsourcing that would displace bargaining unit workers, and to meet with the union to discuss alternatives and effects of such outsourcing.
Local 1110 members beat back a company offensive against existing provisions in the contact. Workers successfully defended their vacations, holidays, overtime premium pay after eight hours’ work, grievance procedure, stewards, shift premium, seniority and other contract clauses.
“People feel good” about the outcome, says Local President Armando Robles. “We organized our people from February to June. The last week we had an action every. A T-shirt day, then a rally day. Carl Rosen (Regional President) and Bob Kingsley (UE Director of Organization) came to Republic. They told our people, the national union supports you.”
The Local 1110 negotiating committee consisted of Pres. Armando Robles, Vice President Steve Eastham, Second Shift Chief Steward Sergio Revuelta, First Shift Chief Steward Ricardo Caceres, Recording Secretary Dora Flores, Glass Dept Steward Melvin “Ricky” Maclin, board members Angelica Orozco and Lenon Davis Jr., Apolinar Cabrera, David Jernigan and Vicente Rangel. They were assisted by Field Organizer Leah Fried and International Rep. Mark Meinster.