Wisconsin Machinists Win $850,000 Settlement
July 25, 2013
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| From left, IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber, Business Representative Don Griffin and Directing Business Representative Russ Krings hold a check awarded to Mercury Marine employees for missing lunch wages dating back to 2009. |
Local Lodge 1947 employees at Mercury Marine in Fond du lac, WI are celebrating an $850,000 settlement for wages lost when the boat engine manufacturer unilaterally changed “paid lunch” eligibility requirements.
In 2009, after tough contract negotiations with the IAM, Mercury Marine management gave themselves sole discretion on who was paid during their lunch hour, ending a 40-year established practice and violating the union contract.
After the IAM filed grievances against the company in 2010, a third-party arbitrator ruled in favor of the employees this June and ordered the company pay the rightfully-earned wages back in full.
“A special thanks goes out to the Union Coordinator, Plant Chairmen, Negotiators, Stewards and the Local Lodge Officers who fought long and hard representing our members rights and entitlements under the collective bargaining agreement,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber. “We sincerely appreciate the hard work and dedication of Directing Business Representative Russ Krings and Business Representative Don Griffin – another job well done by all.”
