Contract Combats Sexual
Harassment
Second Agreement at ABQC
MILWAUKEE, Wis.
The struggle for their first contract took UE Local 1125 members to the
U.S. Supreme Court and back. The second-ever agreement, ratified on Nov. 23, took tough
bargaining.
"We made a lot of progress on this contract," says Local Pres.
Shirley Galica, taking special note of the creation of a committee to combat sexual
harassment and groundbreaking contract language.
A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH
"We now have paid time off for any member who is sexually harassed
and the company must pay three union members to take training in this area," Galica
says. "We also have a right as a sexual harassment committee to file grievances. This
is a major breakthrough in making companies responsible for the work force."
Other improvements include time and one-half pay for work after eight
hours, two paid personal days, seniority on job postings and improved leave for union
business.
Pres. Galica reports improvements in economics as well, including wage
increases of 3.3 percent the first year and 3.2 percent the second year. The contract also
includes a better insurance plan, increased shift differential, more time off and expanded
bereavement leave.
The UE committee included Pres. Galica, Leonardo Mandujano, Lee John
Ramirez, George Gonzales and Linda Lopez. They were assisted by UE Field Org. Lynn Swiertz
and Intl. Rep. Tim Curtin.
