Teamsters Union Local 773 members vote to end strike against Hercules Cement

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.midatlanticlabor.com/appiesnet/wordpress/?p=1407

BY PAUL TUCKER
[e-mail]

LEHIGH VALLEY, July 1st- Approximately 85 members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Union Local 773 in Allentown ratified a new four-year labor agreement with Hercules Cement in Stockertown and returned to their jobs ending a two week strike. The Hercules Stockertown facility in Northampton County processes cement.

The two parties were not able to reach an agreement for a successor contract and the union members voted to strike the employer on June 12th.

Tim Groller, an Hercules employee, and plant steward for Local 773, stated the main reason the union members went on strike was because of proposals made by company officials regarding changes wanted in contract language.

He stated the company wanted management rights language that would allow them to transfer employees at will to other work. Their previous pact gave limited flexibility to move workers for emergency repairs or to cover other workers days off.

During the work stoppage the striking workers picketed the job site 24 hours a day and were often joined by other union members.

Under the new contract union members wages will not increase the first year; increase by 1.5 percent the second and third year; and increase by 2 percent the final year.