UE members at Sargent have ratified a new three-year agreement by a vote of 376 to 30. The agreement includes 10 percent in wage increase over three years, with 3.5 percent in each of the first two years and three percent in the third. The weekly employee share of health care premiums will increase by $5 over the life of the contract. The employee health insurance contribution will be $20 per week in the final year of the contract.

The union gained a $3 increase in the pension multiplier in the first year of the contract, bringing the pension to $34 per month, multiplied by the employee’s years of service. The new contract also brings members increases in life insurance, sick and accident benefits, night shift differential, retiree health insurance and prescription drug benefits.

The union negotiated wage protection for employees who bump into lower-paying jobs because of outsourcing. An affected worker will retain the higher wage rate in the new position for 18 months. Local 243 was also able to increase the length of time a laid off worker retains recall rights.

The union convinced the company to upgrade 20 temporary employees to permanent employee status immediately upon ratification of the contract. These employees became eligible for health benefits.

The union had to fight off a number of concessionary company proposals. These included a two-tier wage proposal, an attempt to take away the Blue Cross/Blues Shield plan, an attack on family coverage, an effort to eliminate the employees’ smoking room and charge smokers $10 more per week for insurance, and significant increases in employee health care costs.

On March 1 – one week before the contract expired – the union held a 6:00 a.m. membership meeting. After the meeting, members gathered in front of the plant for a brief rally, and then marched two by two into work. “We had 100 percent participation, not one person walked in early,” says Local 243 President Ray Pompano. “We called the rally to create unity, and it reminded people that we’re all in the struggle together. It was inspiring.” Union members wore their maroon UE Local 243 sweatshirts in a show of solidarity. For days those sweatshirts were highly visible all over the plant.

The company would not budge off its demand that future employees, hired after ratification, be covered by the company 401(k) plan rather than the defined benefit pension. The union committee fought hard against this proposal throughout the negotiations, but given the overall positive nature of the company’s final offer, the union was forced to agree to this change. The union has committed to improving the 401(k) in the next contract.

Sargent is owned by Assa Abloy AB, with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Assa Abloy is one of the largest lock manufacturers in the world. Local 243 members produce high-quality architectural hardware, including locks and door closers.

The bargaining committee consisted of President Ray Pompano, Chief Steward Wayne Morrison, Vice President Chris Fiorentino, Bob Cox, Sylvia Davis, Tony Izzo, Andy Vissicchio, Steve Saunders, Tom Russo, and Rich Guarino. They were assisted by Field Organizer Paul Ryan.

New Haven, CT

UE members at Sargent have ratified a new three-year agreement by a vote of 376 to 30. The agreement includes 10 percent in wage increase over three years, with 3.5 percent in each of the first two years and three percent in the third. The weekly employee share of health care premiums will increase by $5 over the life of the contract. The employee health insurance contribution will be $20 per week in the final year of the contract.

The union gained a $3 increase in the pension multiplier in the first year of the contract, bringing the pension to $34 per month, multiplied by the employee’s years of service. The new contract also brings members increases in life insurance, sick and accident benefits, night shift differential, retiree health insurance and prescription drug benefits.

The union negotiated wage protection for employees who bump into lower-paying jobs because of outsourcing. An affected worker will retain the higher wage rate in the new position for 18 months. Local 243 was also able to increase the length of time a laid off worker retains recall rights.

The union convinced the company to upgrade 20 temporary employees to permanent employee status immediately upon ratification of the contract. These employees became eligible for health benefits.

The union had to fight off a number of concessionary company proposals. These included a two-tier wage proposal, an attempt to take away the Blue Cross/Blues Shield plan, an attack on family coverage, an effort to eliminate the employees’ smoking room and charge smokers $10 more per week for insurance, and significant increases in employee health care costs.

On March 1 – one week before the contract expired – the union held a 6:00 a.m. membership meeting. After the meeting, members gathered in front of the plant for a brief rally, and then marched two by two into work. “We had 100 percent participation, not one person walked in early,” says Local 243 President Ray Pompano. “We called the rally to create unity, and it reminded people that we’re all in the struggle together. It was inspiring.” Union members wore their maroon UE Local 243 sweatshirts in a show of solidarity. For days those sweatshirts were highly visible all over the plant.

The company would not budge off its demand that future employees, hired after ratification, be covered by the company 401(k) plan rather than the defined benefit pension. The union committee fought hard against this proposal throughout the negotiations, but given the overall positive nature of the company’s final offer, the union was forced to agree to this change. The union has committed to improving the 401(k) in the next contract.

Sargent is owned by Assa Abloy AB, with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Assa Abloy is one of the largest lock manufacturers in the world. Local 243 members produce high-quality architectural hardware, including locks and door closers.

The bargaining committee consisted of President Ray Pompano, Chief Steward Wayne Morrison, Vice President Chris Fiorentino, Bob Cox, Sylvia Davis, Tony Izzo, Andy Vissicchio, Steve Saunders, Tom Russo, and Rich Guarino. They were assisted by Field Organizer Paul Ryan.