The Challenge of Negotiation

Message from the Business Manager. 

Negotiations is never an easy time for us. We are currently negotiating with six employer association groups – and two associations that accept the terms of the six larger associations. The challenge is that we are working to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that will last at least 3 years with raises and benefits that help with the increased cost of living; gas, milk, rent, etc. While at the same time we need to let our contractors remain competitive on the bidding process. Our members of course want and expect large increases our contractors want a 3 year wage freeze! After 2 months of many negotiation sessions, it is all coming down to the final week.

This leads us into the next topic: Activism! The members must get more active if we are going to move ahead and maintain our market share with the wages and benefits that we have enjoyed for 67 years here at this local union. I regret to inform you that there is a great possibility we may be striking more than one association. At the end of the day – we expect to win… and we will win!