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1,100 IAM Local 1296 members, who make large commercial heating and air units at Trane Technologies, last week overwhelmingly voted to ratify a four-year collective bargaining agreement at the Clarksville, TN plant.
The contract secured increases in wages, paid sick leave, raising short term disability pay by 10 percent, and maintaining the current employee monthly medical premium contribution levels and formulas for the duration of the agreement along with a greater shoe allowance and improvements in various contract language.
“The gains in this contract could not have been achieved without the solidarity exhibited from the members of Local Lodge 1296,” said District 1888 President and Directing Business Representative Jerry Benson. “Your togetherness and patience during these unprecedented times allowed the negotiating committee time to achieve a great contract. I want to congratulate our members and the IAM Local Lodge 1296 Negotiating Committee.”
“I couldn’t be any prouder of our members for standing strong for what is right,” said IAM District 1888 Business Representative Ernie Epps. “Thanks to the assistance from the Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace and the departments at IAM Headquarters, our committee was able to get our members a contract that they can be proud of. It was truly a group effort all the way.”
“The improvements won in this contract are a result of the unwavering unity displayed by the members of Local 1296,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “I congratulate our members, the IAM Local 1296 Negotiating Committee, IAM District 1888 Directing Business Representative Jerry Benson, and all the support staff from the Winpisinger Center, Legal, Strategic Resources and Communications Departments for their teamwork in attaining a great contract, especially during the trying times of the pandemic.”
After an arduous month of bargaining amid the current pandemic, the negotiating committee reached a tentative agreement they could recommend to members.
