Local 1177 Improves Benefits, Job Security, Pay In New Renzenberger Contract

November 19, 2013

Solidarity actions and the threat of a strike put enough pressure on Renzenberger to get an improved contract offer, and Chicago-area van drivers represented by UE Local 1177 approved it by a 4-1 margin in balloting last week. The new contract includes better paid time off provisions, more paid break time, more job security protections and other working condition improvements that are not included in the contract covering drivers in California.

The new agreement was ratified by 81 percent of the yard and road drivers working out of 11 Chicago-area yards. It includes additional PTO days after six months and after five years, a guarantee of 25 minutes of paid break time, and new job protection language that “washes out” past discipline after four months without an infraction. The raises are 25 cents for everyone each year for all three years of the contract. All drivers receive these raises, including those who have reached the top of the pay scale. The first raise is retroactive to August 2013, which means a typical driver receives about $100 in back pay.

Beginning 90 days after the contract settlement, all road drivers will cease to be paid on a mileage basis and will instead be paid an hourly rate. In the meantime their mileage rate was increased.

The new contract improves the union’s ability to represent members. Stewards will have improved access to members and meetings, the union will have access to new employees after their orientation, the union will be notified before any work rule changes, and the union will be notified of any terminations.

To push for a better contract, Chicago drivers held banners at entrances to the largest rail yards and signed up coworkers and railroad workers on petitions demanding better treatment for Renzenberger drivers. A special online version of the petition was delivered to Warren Buffet, owner of the BNSF Railroad, a major customer. The Chicago drivers, members of UE Local 1177, also voted by secret ballot to authorize their local union leadership to call a strike, but no strike took place because Renzenberger improved its offer.

Other features of the new Chicago contract include “show-up pay” to compensate drivers for time spent getting to and from safety meetings that occur when they are off, and language specifying that all time spent on company business is work time. There are also better rules governing van swaps and a guarantee that road drivers will be able to get two consecutive days off.

“We still have the best contract in all of Renzenberger,” says Renzenberger driver and Local 1177 President Phil Dedera. “We’re still trying to set the standard. Our negotiating team was tenacious but not mule-headed. I’m proud of them – they were tenacious right up to the end. We got some good wording in the contract. We got some changes that enhance safety.”

The union negotiating committee consisted of Local 1177 President Phil Dedera, James Hill, Duan Mitchell, John Cerone and Clarence Hill. They were assisted by UE Field Organizer J Burger and International Rep. Mark Meinster.

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