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.
The company pushed the members during bargaining about returning to an old merit pay system that the local removed in the last contract. The members held their ground and were able to negotiate instead a lump sum payment of over $500 every six months, for a total of $1000 each year after taxes. They were also successful in negotiating a new contract expiration date so they no longer align with a non-UE local within the company, allowing them to have more power during their own bargaining period.
The bosses at the company wanted new disciplinary language to address attendance issues but the members convinced them to instead create additional incentives to address the issue. The members will now gain two extra personal days of paid time off and an additional eight hours of pay for answering 35 percent of their call-ins a year. Members can also gain an additional day of pay and day of paid time off for perfect attendance over the course of a year.
The local won higher reimbursements for necessary work purchases, including safety shoes and eye glasses. Members will now be reimbursed $250 for safety shoes, up from $150. The local also negotiated a waiver of the emergency fee for their insurance if the visit leads to admission to the hospital, and their 401(k) was increased as well.
The negotiating committee consisted of President Jeff Sakowicz, Chief Steward Wayne Carry, Steward Patrick Capperrille, and Trustee James Berquist. They were assisted by Staff Coordinator Wayne Morrison.