NEW BERLIN PARKS, PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES APPROVE “BEST-EVER” TEAMSTER CONTRACT

Parks and Department of Public Works employees in New Berlin voted overwhelmingly to approve their best-ever Teamster contract, which guarantees wage increases and other benefits.

The workers, members of Teamsters Local 200, voted 35-0 on July 9 to ratify the 3-year agreement. There are 49 workers in the bargaining unit. The agreement provides for wage increases of more than three percent for every year of the contract.

Tom Millonzi, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 200, thanked all bargaining committee and the workers for standing together.

“We showcased here what unity can do for workers,” Millonzi said. “Standing together as one is a powerful message.”

Tom Bennett, President of Local 200, said contract negotiations were delayed because of the state of Wisconsin’s budget process and the local election for mayor. Bennett said workers were very pleased with the contract.

Terry Blessing, a mechanic for the Department of Public Works, said in the 24 years he has worked for the city of New Berlin, this is the best contract he has seen.

“On top of the wage increases, our comp time was increased and we can now bank our sick time which can be paid out when we retire,” Blessing said.