Local Staves Off Wage
Freeze, Gains Dollar Raise
ERIE, Pa.
When amalgamated UE Local 683 began negotiations with Liberty Iron & Metal, the company wanted a one-year wage freeze.
The membership had other ideas. Even though the company fired one of the negotiating committee members and laid off another, the UE
committee hung tough.
Then, during the middle of negotiations, the company came up with a scheme to change the method of payment for half of the
companys 15 drivers. The drivers were in almost total opposition to the plan, and let the company know. In the ensuing uproar the
company concluded that this and other proposals were not worthwhile. Movement by the company enabled the Local 683 negotiating committee
to reach an agreement ratified by the membership.
The package includes $1 an hour raise over the three-year contract, along with increases in the trip rates, hourly rates
and switch rates for the drivers. The contract also provides for a wage re-opener in the second and third years for negotiations on
additional wages and driver increases.
The negotiating committee consisted of Local 683 Pres. Charles Tangle, Steve Schank, Dave Antoniazzi and Joe
Iavarone. They were assisted by UE Field Org. Ron Flowers.
UE News - 3/02
