Local 727 Wins Fight to Secure Six-Year Rollex Contract with Raises

Local 727 reports President John Coli Jr. secured a six-year contract that includes raises, benefits improvements and maintenance of health and welfare coverage for the 76 members at building materials manufacturer Rollex.

Coli and the union’s bargaining committee, which is comprised of Local 727 reps and five Rollex members, worked for nearly 13 hours on the final day of negotiations to reach the agreement. Members voted to ratify the contract.

“It was a long, difficult battle, but because our members remained united, we were able to fight off management’s outrageous demands,” Coli said.

When negotiations began on Sept. 14, Rollex management told the union it was seeking drastic wage and benefit cuts of up to $8 an hour. Over the next six weeks, the union’s bargaining committee pushed back against the company’s draconian proposals. Teamsters also held two rallies, and members attended three contract meetings and wore union T-shirts once a week to work at the Elk Grove Village plant, where they manufacture aluminum siding products for home exteriors.

“This is a perfect example of the power of solidarity,” Coli said. “Management heard our message loud and clear. The union is grateful for the patience, dignity and resolve our members showed throughout these negotiations.”

The contract includes bonuses in the first two years and raises in the final four years and protects health and welfare coverage for all members. The union also was able to secure vacation-scheduling improvements, restrictions on when management can use temporary employees and enrollment in a 401(k) with 1.5 percent employer contributions regardless of any employee contributions.

The six-year contract expires on Oct. 31, 2018.