Three years after a militant contract campaign which culminated in a one-day strike, UE Local 625 ratified a one-year contract extension on September 22. Local 625 members build high-quality circuit breakers and high-voltage equipment.
President Mark Shaffer said, “I believe our collective strength as a membership and past contract campaigns, where we put some serious pressure on our employer, motivated the company to come to us early and negotiate this type of agreement.”
The agreement includes a 5.5 percent general wage increase and will keep union members on their existing health insurance plans, with no increases in plan design costs (deductibles, co-pays, out-of-pockets) for the duration of the contract.
Employee medical, dental, and vision premiums will be also be frozen, and the new settlement retains the existing employer contributions to employee health reimbursement accounts and health savings accounts.
Trustee Larry Cook looks on as executive board member Sharon Johnston casts her vote.
“Getting our insurance locked in with a guarantee of no increased costs to our premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pockets was big for us,” said Chief Steward John Shifflett. “This is a good one-year contract that builds on previous contracts and maintains a quality standard of living for us as workers.”
Added Financial Secretary Bob Good on the health insurance victory, “We didn’t want to run the risk of our wage increases being offset by rising costs to our insurance.”
The probationary rate will increase from $15 to $20 per hour.
Additionally, members will receive a $400 ratification bonus.
“We are happy with the outcome,” said Vice President Chris Pratt.
”While we feel good about the result, we know that in just a few short months we will need to start preparing once again for contract negotiations,” said Recording Secretary Leia Hernley. “The struggle to improve on our situation at work is never ending, but with our solidarity as members of UE Local 625, this union will continue to be a strong and proud one.”
The Local 625 bargaining committee consisted of President Mark Shaffer, Vice President Chris Pratt, Chief Steward John Shifflett, Recording Secretary Leia Hernley, and Financial Secretary Bob Good. They were assisted by Field Organizer Ben Wilson.
Local 625 members gather for the ratification vote.