Twenty-eight workers who clean the Pratt & Whitney facility in West Palm Beach, FL, now have the protections and benefits of a strong IAM contract. The workers, who are employees of Eurest Services, ratified their first collective bargaining agreement and will join IAM Local 971 in the Southern Territory.
“Most of the soon-to-be members will get a $2.50 increase in their wages,” said District 166 Business Representative Robert Miller. “Others above the $11.50 will get a 3 percent general wage increase.”
In 2016 all employees will get an additional 3 percent wage increase, followed by another 3 percent in 2017. The majority of the new members were making only $9 per hour before the contract was ratified.
“Everyone now has seniority rights, a grievance procedure and fair overtime distribution,” added Miller. “It’s a new day for everyone at Eurest.”
“I want to thank everyone for the great job they did,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Mark Blondin. “There are two steps to organizing new members. The first step is coming together to win the election. The important part is negotiating a first contract, and our experienced and skilled staff worked with the elected negotiators from the shop to bring home that contract. Congratulations to Directing Business Representative Johnny Walker, Business Representative Robert Miller and District 166.”