On Thursday, May 30, members of Local 155 at Chasen Fiber Technologies unanimously ratified a mid-contract agreement codifying starting wages, promotion raises, new job classifications, and pay for the new night shift.
Management attempted to implement a new night shift and re-create a new maintenance mechanic position without negotiating with the union. The local sent a demand to bargain and began negotiations two weeks later. Prior to the agreement, only the starting wage for line workers was codified in the contract.
The day of bargaining, UE members stood united and held a t-shirt day. A majority of the workers put on their Local 155 shirts without fear. The plant manager commented on this, asking one member, “What, did you all just decide to wear those shirts today?”
The message was heard loud and clear. The company agreed to codify starting wage ranges for all classifications, limiting the ability for the company to create new classifications — and thereby grant higher wages to one or two members of the unit — unilaterally. The agreement also won and codified a night shift premium of $1.75 an hour.
The local feels strongly that this agreement is a step in the right direction for successor negotiations at the end of 2024. Workers had originally ratified a one-year deal with a 50 cent raise, as the company lacked business. However, Chasen is now a division of Cryopak and creates boxes for big-name customers like HelloFresh.
The agreement was negotiated by Vice President and Shop Chief Steward Carlos Quinones, assisted by Field Organizer Eric Cortés-Kopp.