IAM Local Lodge 698 (District 60) members at Ryder Manhattan in Toledo, OH, recently voted to ratify a strong first agreement.
The diesel mechanics, who fuel the trucks and do minor preventative maintenance, achieved gains in the three-year agreement, including the T-Grade classification getting a 5% increase and the S-Grade and CSC classification receiving a 4% increase upon ratification. Both groups will receive a 3.25% increase in years two and three.
“This first contract was achieved through unrelenting perseverance and solidarity,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “I congratulate our members for achieving a great first contract despite some difficult times. Special thanks to all of the district staff who provided leadership and guidance throughout negotiations.”
“It was a long and hard fight, but in the end, we prevailed,” said IAM District 60 Directing Business Representative Anthony Robbins. “We were able to bring seven new members to our union family.”
“This being the first contract for the group, and my first time negotiating a first contract, I knew it was going to take time before we came to a tentative agreement,” said Heather Hildebrand, IAM District 60 Business Representative. “It was a battle from the beginning. The company canceled agreed-upon dates repeatedly, refusing to send the requested information and refusing to meet face-to-face. These obstacles added to the difficulty of a first contract, but the negotiating committee never wavered.”