Lamson Workers Hold
Insurance Costs;
Make Pay, Benefit Gains
SHELBURNE FALLS, Mass.
Lamson and Goodnow workers, members of amalgamated UE Local
274, reached a two-year agreement on Jan. 18 with the more than 100-year-old
cutlery manufacturer. The contract includes a 20-cent wage increase in both
years, higher sickness and accident benefits, an additional step in the
discipline policy and a lid on health insurance costs.
This was the first contract negotiated with new owners.
Initially, the company sought more than $53,000 in heath
insurance givebacks. UE members had been paying $10 a week for insurance; the
company demanded $52.25 a week for the same coverage.
UE members rejected the companys final offer, and
demonstrated their unhappiness by wearing union shirts and buttons and by
refusing to work overtime (there is no mandatory overtime in this contract).
Union members succeeded in keeping their health insurance costs at $10 and
they gained a better prescription plan.
The UE committee consisted of Frank Drew, Harry Demers,
Tyler Clark, Bruce Rowland and Ernie Beckwith. They were assisted
by UE Field Org. Paul Ryan.
UE News - 02/00
