Overwhelming Number Of Union Members Vote In Favor Of The Proposal

The members of Teamsters Local 1150 in New Haven, CT have voted overwhelmingly to accept a contract for workers who will build the CH-53K helicopter for the Navy.

When the votes were counted, 2,104 members voted to accept the contract, while 140 voted "no".

The deal introduces a two-tier wage system for all new employees hired into the bargaining unit effective July 1, 2017. It includes a 25% reduction in hourly rates from Schedule D outlined in the CBA. The new wage scale is competitive to market and peer companies, according to the union. Active employees who are on the payroll as of June 30, 2017 will continue to follow the current existing wage schedule as outlined in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Following the ratification of this Agreement, employees who are both on the payroll of the Company and are covered by this agreement as of the date of acceptance of this offer shall receive a $1,500 ratification bonus. No other employee or former employee shall be eligible for this bonus. The ratification bonus will be paid under the following guidelines:

Employees will be given the opportunity to place some or all of this bonus in the Savings Plan and/or Health Savings Account (HSA).
Employees must elect in writing to put some or all of their bonus, in $250 increments, into the Savings Plan and/or Health Savings Account (HSA). The specific due date for employee elections will be determined following ratification of the offer.
The Company will match at 50% any of the ratification bonus placed into the Savings Plan and/or Health Savings Account (HSA).
Employees who do not make such election will be paid a ratification bonus of $1,500 (gross). The specific date of payment will be determined following ratification of the offer.

The Connecticut General Assembly recently approved a $200 million incentive package to entice Lockheed Martin to build the CH-53K helicopter in the state.

(Source: Teamsters 1150 website. Image from file)

FMI: www.teamsters1150.org