Quebecor World Teamsters in Nevada Approve Strong New Contract

Quebecor World Teamsters in Nevada Approve Strong New Contract

Hourly Wages Raised, Health Premium Increases Capped

Contact: David White (202) 624-8730December 19, 2006

December 19, 2006

(Washington, D.C.) – About 200 Teamster pressmen, production workers, technicians and other employees at Quebecor World in Fernley, Nevada, overwhelmingly voted for a new, three-year contract. The contract secures significant job protections, caps health care insurance premiums and increases wages.

"I'm very proud and happy with this contract," said Isaac Brooks, a worker at the facility and a member of the Teamsters Graphic Communications Conference (GCC). "Everything in there is a gain, across the board. The big wage increases, a grievance procedure, the limit on our health insurance costs. All in all, this is fantastic"

Approved by 81 percent of voting workers, the contract was secured about 18 months after the workers voted to become Teamsters. The contract's wage increases include an initial 3 percent raise retroactive to May, followed by 2.75 and 2.5 percent increases in the second and third years. The contract language includes a grievance procedure and provisions that combat unfair favoritism. Health care premium costs are capped and workers have the opportunity to switch to a new insurance provider while receiving equal contributions from the company.

"This is a strong contract and a big reason workers in Fernley voted to become Teamsters," said General President Jim Hoffa.

"We're delighted that this agreement will significantly improve members' take-home pay and benefits," said George Tedeschi, Teamsters GCC President. "We're glad our members could receive this good news in time for the holidays."

Teamsters negotiating contracts at Quebecor World facilities in Mt. Morris, Illinois; Versailles, Kentucky; and Memphis and Dickson, Tennessee have supported the workers at Fernley.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.