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| Springfield, TN IAM Local 1441 members secured a new collective bargaining agreement with Unarco that includes yearly increases in IAM Pension Plan contributions. From left: Negotiating Committee member Jeff Heatherly, Local 1441 President Kevin Schwarz, District 711 Business Representative Mike Lee and Local 1441 Negotiating Committee members Ben Sprouse and James Homsany. |
IAM Local 1441 members working at Unarco Material Handling Racks in Springfield, TN used training, planning and old-fashioned solidarity to earn a strong three-year agreement for the 245 employees.
“We had a new committee without a lot of experience,” said District 711 Directing Business Representative Mike Lee. “The Committee went to the William W. Winpisinger training center in Hollywood, MD for Negotiations Preparations Training. We knew we’d be in for a fight with this company, and the training and preparation we did was invaluable for the committee.”
The new three-year deal includes increases to the IAM pension and a 50-cent wage increase every year of the contract.
“The training at the Winpisinger Center was essential to our bargaining a fair contract,” said Lee. “The Company demanded several takeaways, including ending the IAM Pension Plan and changing to a 401(k) plan, but with the backing of our membership, we were able to not only beat back most of the takeaways, we were able to move forward.”
“Congratulations to the team and the local for a job well done,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Mark Blondin. “The Winpisinger Center does a great job of delivering training that directly affects our member’s paychecks and benefits.”
Local 1441 members manufacture structural and roll-formed pallet racking and warehouse storage systems used at distribution centers and retail stores throughout the country.
