UPDATE: STATEMENT BY ERIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE KATHY DAHLKEMPER:
“I am thrilled to hear news of the tentative agreement between UE 506 and 618 and Wabtec, and I am grateful for the hard work that both teams have put in as they worked out this deal. The road to this point wasn’t easy, but both teams kept coming back until they could find a way forward together.
“This tentative agreement signals that Wabtec recognizes the value of the world-class skilled workforce that UE represents, and that the company will continue to be a vital partner for Erie County’s economic future.
“I am hopeful that union members will trust their leadership’s view that this contract offers the brightest future for their families, and will ratify the contract in their vote next week.”
UPDATE: RELEASE BY WABTEC:
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 506 and 618 today reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract with good wages and benefits, pending ratification by the 1,700 UE members.
“We’re pleased to have reached a fair and reasonable contract that meets the interests of both parties and positions the Erie site for stability,” said Greg Sbrocco, Wabtec’s Senior Vice President of Global Operations. “This plant is an important part of the community. In the end both sides found a common ground that ensures good paying jobs and rewarding work for the hard-working people of Erie. This is a good first step to driving competitiveness at the plant and we look forward to moving forward together.”
“Our negotiating team has worked hard on behalf of our membership and our community to reach an agreement,” said Scott Slawson, UE 506 Union President, and Karleen Torrance, UE 618 Union President, in a joint statement. “This tentative agreement is being recommended by the Bargaining Committee to our Boards and the 1,700 members of UE Local 506 and 618 for ratification.”
ORIGINAL POST:
In a bulletin released by UE Local 506, it was announced Thursday afternoon that Wabtec and UE Locals 506 and 618 have reached a tentative four-year contract agreement.
Highlights include maintaining wages for current Wabtec employees, and a ten-year progression to legacy wages for new hires. Also voluntary overtime was continued and enhanced health benefits were agreed upon.
The full text of the UE bulletin reads as follows:
After 128 days of negotiations, the UE bargaining committee of UE Locals 506 and 618 have reached a tentative agreement on a four-year contract with Wabtec. This tentative agreement is being recommended by the Bargaining Committee to our Board and the 1,700 members of UE Local 506 and 618 for ratification.
On Tuesday, June 11, we will hold three special membership meetings at the Bayfront Convention Center at 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. to explain all of the details of the agreement. Ratification votes will take place at the Union Hall from 5:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12. Please make plans to attend, as your voice matters.
The tentative contract reaches an agreement on terms of employment, including pay, benefits, hours, leave, and health and safety policies. The contract agreement includes the following:
- Maintain current wage rates for existing Wabtec employees.
- Ten-year progression to full wage rates for new hire employees.
- A commitment for new work equivalent to 100 full-time employees by the end of the contract.
- Continuation of voluntary overtime.
- Five-year recall rights.
- Former GE Transportation employees who were on the recall list will receive preferential placement for
- new hire employment with the restoration of seniority.
- Overtime premium pay after eight hours / double-time after 12 hours.
- Standard Monday-Friday work week.
- Up to six weeks of paid vacation, based upon years of service.
- Up to 5 paid personal days, based on service.
- Twelve paid holidays.
- Improved health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits.
- Retirement (401K) plan with a 3% Company contribution plus an additional 3% matching contribution.
- Maintained Income Extension Aid (IEA).
- Protected benefits for 26-weeks.
- Four-year agreement.
As you all know, we are a rank-and-file-union whose members set the policies of the union and make all of the decisions of importance in a democratic and collective manner. Your ratification of this tentative contract is an important step in the process, as we all stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our union brothers and sisters.
We are proud of this union’s resolve to stand up for the entire community and the next generation of highly skilled workers who will continue to support the middle-class economy of the Erie Region.
