Recognition for a job well done go out to District W2 Directing Business Representative Kelvin Godwin, the negotiating committee and, a special thanks to Local Lodge W484 President Bill Cox, for their commitment to reaching a settlement agreement at Potlatch that is good for our members and the community.
In an intense show of solidarity, the membership at Local Lodge W484 sent a powerful message to Potlatch management by unanimously rejecting the company’s last, best and final offer and voting to strike.
Potlatch answered the vote with a request to return to the table. They asked for a 30 day extension due to scheduling logistics and the impending Memorial Day holiday.
In the end, a settlement agreement was reached and highlights of the agreement include:
–The defined pension plan will be maintained for all current and future members
–A mutual agreement is in place between the company and the union and language is preserved to protect members’ jobs before the company can hire temporary or contract workers
–Reached decent wage increases for all – 1st year—2%; 2nd year– 3%; 3rd year—2.5% and, 4th year—3%
–This is a 4 year agreement for our members
