2,300 Amtrak Conductors Win New Pact, and More Bargaining News

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/02/19/2300-amtrak-conductors-win-new-pact-and-more-bargaining-news/

by May Silverstein, Feb 19, 2008

Amtrak conductors win a contract with a 35.2 percent pay increase over the term of the pact and more highlights from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.

Work Stoppages

UAW, Volvo Trucks North America: The 2,800 Volvo Trucks North America plant workers, represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2069, remain on strike. “This is our future,” explained Carol Burton, a 45-year-old worker who installs truck cabs. “We’ll stay out here as long as it takes.” Volvo spokesman Jim McNamara confirmed the plant was not in production, but declined to talk about when or how production might resume.

Settlements

UAW, Magna International: The UAW has reached a tentative agreement with auto parts manufacturer Magna International that is expected to save 2,700 jobs at the New Process Gear plant in Syacuse, N.Y. The deal includes a promise from Magna to invest in the plant and keep it operating. Union members will vote on the pact Feb. 20 and 21.

UTU, Amtrak: Some 2,300 conductors and assistants, represented by the United Transportation Union (UTU), approved a tentative agreement with Amtrak. News reports indicate the agreement mirrors the tentative agreements that Amtrak and several of its rail unions reached in January covering approximately 10,000 workers. The contract would be retroactive to 2000 and run through December 2009. It will not cut jobs sought by Amtrak to 400 assistant conductors. In addition, workers will receive retroactive pay increases totaling 35.2 percent over the duration. Complete details have not yet been disclosed pending ratification.

IBEW, Oncor: More than 600 workers, represented by the Electrical Workers (IBEW), ratified a three-year agreement with Texas electric distribution and transmission business Oncor. Details were not released.

FULL story at link.