Insulation Workers Warm to New Contract

Insulation Workers Warm to New Contract

New Pact Strengthens Job Security, Wages

December 23, 2004

On December 15, 120 Knauf Insulation production employees ratified their first contract—a five-year pact—by an overwhelming majority.

The agreement, which was endorsed by a solid 74-to-29 tally, comes less than nine months after the workers voted for Teamster representation. “It’s a very good first contract,” said Dave Hawley, Local 137 Secretary-Treasurer. “Especially in the areas of job protection and advancement.”

The new pact takes effect January 1, 2005.

“Job bidding was a huge issue for the workers,” said Hawley. “This contract makes seniority the determining factor in job advancement.”

The five-year contract also provides for improved wages and contains workers’ health care costs.

The contract includes the following:

• A 15.5-percent wage increase over the life of the contract, including a 7.5% increase over the first two years;
• Admittance into the Teamsters health and welfare plan, as well as language that caps employee health insurance premium costs;
• A health-care savings account, which allows workers to save health care funds from year to year;
• Seniority rights and protections; and
• Job-bidding procedures.