Local 319 Settles
Three-Year Contract
With Battenfeld Grease
NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y.
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The Local 319 negotiating committee;
from left, Carl Riley, Brian Rouse and Roger Schlee.
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Battenfeld Grease and Oil Workers, members of UE Local 319,
have ratified a new three-year agreement that will raise wages 30 to 34 cents
each year of the contract.
Life insurance increases to $15,000 and pension benefits will
go from $800 to $900 a month.
Among many other language improvements, starting this year,
employees who qualify for six weeks of vacation pay may take up to a maximum
of five vacation days on a daily basis.
SPIRITED STRUGGLE
Spirited, in-plant struggle thoroughly defeated management
attempts to have employees pay health-care premium increases and to eliminate
the one-week July plant shutdown.
Local 319 members gained insight into the pension plan through
a special workshop presented by District Six Pres. John Lambiase and UE
Research Dir. David Alexander.
During negotiations Local 319 suffered the loss of a long-time
member and officer. Dick Fisher, sergeant-at-arms and a UE member for
more than 25 years, died at age 46. Regarded by co-workers as a decent and
honest person who worked hard for the local, Dick is survived by his wife and
daughter.
The Local 319 negotiating committee consisted of Pres. Carl
Riley, Chief Steward Brian Rouse and Rec. Sec. Roger Schlee.
They were assisted by UE Intl. Rep. Deb Gornall.
UE News - 03/00
