The union contract vote is just hours away. Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 105 are set to take a ratification vote Wednesday, June 1, for a tentative contract deal with Arconic.
Voting is scheduled for 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf, according to the Local 105’s Facebook page.
The local represents hundreds of union workers at Arconic Davenport Works, Riverdale. These members and union workers at three other Arconic plants are voting on a tentative four-year contract agreement.
At least one USW official predicted union voters would likely approve the contract.
“Our committee (on May 14) unanimously approved the contract. I don’t foresee any problems with it,” Tony Montana, a communications official with the USW, told the QCBJ on Tuesday, May 31.
Local 105 representatives were unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
The ratification votes come after Arconic and the USW on Saturday, May 14, reached a tentative four-year contract agreement that includes a 20% wage increase for workers over four years.
“We’ve reached a Tentative Agreement w/Arconic that is fully endorsed by your bargaining committee. Thanks to everyone’s solidarity and support,” the union previously posted on Local 105’s Facebook page.
Another post added: “The tentative agreement includes termination of PFP (Pay for Performance). The hourly wage increases are to make up for the termination. Wages are something we can count on in overtime and our vacation rate. We could never depend on PFP, which is variable pay, to pay out. We can depend on our wages.”
According to Local 105, the deal – if approved – by union workers would:
- Increase wages by 20%. Pay raises will include 7% in the first year and 4.5% in each of the next three years.
- Include a signing bonus of $4,000 – $2,000 upon signing, and $2,000 in January 2023.
- Maintain the current health care coverage with no premium increases.
- Improve pensions.
- Add Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday.
The Arconic Davenport Works plant employs about 2,400 workers including 1,800 who are members of Local 105.
After the tentative agreement was first announced, John Riches, Arconic Davenport Works communications and public affairs manager released this statement: “We believe this agreement accomplishes our goal of rewarding our employees for their commitment as essential workers while enabling our business to grow for future sustainability.”
The four-year master contract covers about 3,400 workers at Davenport Works as well as Arconic plants in Lafayette, Indiana; Massena, New York; and Alcoa, Tennessee.
“For their outstanding work through the pandemic and beyond, USW members have earned and deserve a fair agreement,” USW District 11 Director Emil Ramirez said in a news release after the tentative agreement was reached. “The unity and solidarity of our membership across all of the Arconic locations enabled us to negotiate improved security for our earnings, benefits and jobs in this contract.”
The USW’s current three-year contract with Arconic expired at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 15.
The last time the union went on strike was in 1986 when the local plant then was Alcoa Davenport Works.
