After running a contract campaign that included a unanimous strike authorization from the rank and file and activation of its strike machinery, UE Local 622 ratified a new five-year agreement on May 18.
The agreement includes wage increases of six percent in the first year, three percent in the second and third years, and two percent in the fourth and fifth years. Employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision will be frozen for the first two years of the agreement, and company contributions to employee Health Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts will increase between $200 and $5,000 over the life of the contract, depending on plan and coverage type.
Worker shoe allowance and the short-term disability benefits will also see periodic increases throughout the life of the agreement. The employer will increase its monthly 401(k) contributions to workers beginning in the second year of the contract and the local was able to maintain an important retirement lump sum payment based age and years of service. Workers also received a $500 ratification bonus.
Local 622 President Joe Mowry.
“This contract is a huge stepping stone for our membership and positions us well moving forward,” said UE Local 622 President Joe Mowry. “Many of us have really struggled with the insurance costs over past years, so getting costs controlled as part of the settlement was a major gain for us. I am very proud of the members staying united in fighting for this contract.”
While agreeing to some minimal scheduling changes with the company, the local successfully fought back a long list of company concessions that would have allowed the employer to mandate overtime and unilaterally change schedules; eliminated employee protections against unfair discipline; stripped seniority rights for job bidding and layoff; allowed management to perform or subcontract out bargaining unit work, and increased the probationary period.
“The company came with a stack of concessionary proposals on the first day of bargaining,” said UE Local 622 Chief Steward Bill Meager. “We made it clear to them that we were not interested in language that would take us backward. That was not acceptable, and it was important for the company to know that there would be a heavy price to pay if they kept insisting on weakening our rights and working conditions on the shop floor.”
“We regularly reviewed the impact of the company’s proposals with our members throughout bargaining, which helped us get everyone more involved,” said UE Local 622 Recording Secretary John Evancho. “The stakes couldn’t have been higher.”
The local was prepared to take all actions necessary in order to secure a good contract. Phone trees were set up so that members received regular updates on bargaining from the negotiating committee. Membership meetings were held during the campaign. After the local unanimously authorized a strike, if necessary, picket captains were organized, with picket duties then established and distributed to the rank and file.
“In the end, the power of our membership sticking together was what we needed to get the contract we deserved,” concluded UE Local 622 Vice President Ed Guzik. “That’s what a rank-and-file union is all about.”
Local 622 bargaining committee. Left to right: Ed Guzik, Bill Meager, John Evancho, Joe Mowry.
The UE Local 622 bargaining committee consisted of President Joe Mowry, Vice President Ed Guzik, Chief Steward Bill Meager, and Recording Secretary John Evancho. They were assisted by UE International Representative Ben Wilson.
UE Research Director Karl Zimmerman and Eastern Regional President George Waksmunski made contributions to the campaign. Former Eastern Region Office Manager Pat McCaughtry provided valuable historical information in support of the local’s efforts.