Three sublocals of UE Local 222, a statewide amalgamated public-sector local, have settled new contracts in the past six months.
Local 222-89 in Stafford settled a 3½ year contract with the Water Pollution Control Authority in January. The sublocal negotiated new probationary language and a shorter probationary period, going from 180 days to 90 days. The members won new grievance language changing calendar days in the procedure to work days. The members’ health insurance was moved to the state plan and their group life insurance increased to $100,000. Workers who have been called in will now receive a $17 stipend for each shift. Monday through Saturday call-ins will now receive 1½ times their regular pay hourly and their paid time off will be used for the calculations.
The Sublocal 89 negotiating committee consisted of Chief Steward Greg Carriera. The entire membership sat in on negotiations. They were assisted by International Representative Annie Bulger MacDonald.
Local 222-10, which represents custodians at the Canton Board of Education, won 10 percent raises over the life of the contract. The members will receive a 3.25 percent raise in the first year and second year and a 3.5 percent increase in the last year. They won Juneteenth as an added holiday and new language on lead custodians. They were also able to gain an increase in their clothing allowance.
The Sublocal 10 bargaining team consisted of President Jimmy Varasconi, Treasurer Andre Zittoun, and Artie Conant. They were assisted by International Representative Sherry Bryant.
In Simsbury, civilian dispatchers of Local 222-41 won a 2.7 percent wage increase in the first year and 2.5 percent increases in all subsequent years for a total of a 10.2 percent raise over the life of the contract. The members won Juneteenth as an added holiday and increased time for notification of shift change from 72 hours to 80 hours notice. They also reached an agreement with the employer to bring the need for an eighth dispatcher on shift to town council if research proved there was need for one. A committee is being formed to make this happen.
The Sublocal 41 bargaining committee consisted of President Susan Everest and Treasurer Melinda Post. They were assisted by International Representative Bryant.