USW Ratifies Collective Bargaining Agreement with Merck at West Point Facility

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.usw.org/usw/program/content/3977.php

USW Ratifies Collective Bargaining Agreement with Merck at West Point Facility

Deal Improves Wages, Benefits, Prohibits Layoffs

For Immediate Release April 30, 2007



Pittsburgh – Members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 10-86 voted overwhelmingly yesterday to ratify a contract with pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., Inc. that gives employees at the West Point facility in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania a signing bonus, job security and significant wage increases each year of the three-year deal.

The agreement is particularly significant for the 1,800 USW members at West Point, the primary location where Merck’s new cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil is produced, because it assures them no layoffs at a time when Merck is slashing positions internationally.

Local Union President Charles Fickert said after the balloting this evening that he was pleased that 70 percent of his members voted for the contract. He also said the agreement would work to their benefit: “It will help to maintain seniority rights for our local members. It enhances our wages and other benefits. And it will go a long way towards solidifying the position of the West Point facility within Merck.”

USW members will receive a $4,500 signing bonus as well as a 3.5 percent raise this year. They’ll get additional 3.5 percent raises in the second and third years of the agreement. Merck agreed to increase its contribution toward medical benefits for the USW members by $4.5 million immediately, and by 11 percent each year of the agreement. The result is that it’s unlikely any USW member will pay more for medical insurance for the life of the contract, a significant benefit at a time of skyrocketing health insurance costs.

FULL story at link.

[Craftsman]

1. Good