Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 105 are scheduled to take a ratification vote on Wednesday, June 1, for a tentative contract deal with Arconic.
That vote 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 union local represents hundreds of workers at Arconic Davenport Works, Riverdale.
Before that vote takes place, a series of informational meetings on the proposed contract will take place at the Local 105 union hall, 880 Devils Glen Road, Bettendorf. Those meetings are set for Thursday, May 19 (no time listed); noon and 2 p.m. Friday, May 20; and 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, May 23, the union said on Facebook.
Local 105 union officials were not available for comment Wednesday, May 18.
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 said in a weekend posting on the Local 105 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’s Facebook page, 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 has about 2,400 workers including 1,800 who are members of Local 105.
After the tentative agreement was 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 USW announced the tentative agreement Saturday in a news release shortly after the rally.
The union stated 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 the release. “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.”
Members of the USW committee will return to their locals to discuss the terms of the proposed agreement with workers. The committee is unanimously recommending that it be ratified, according to the union news release.
The current three-year contract 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.
