Detroit Teachers Reach Tentative Deal—and More Bargaining News

by Belinda Boyce, Dec 7, 2009

Some 7,000 Detroit public school teachers, members of AFT, will receive a 1 percent raise in the third year of a contract agreement reached last week—and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,200 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.

NEGOTIATIONS

AFT, Detroit Public Schools: The Detroit Federation of Teachers (AFT) reached a tentative agreement last week on a three-year contract with Detroit Public Schools. The 7,000 teachers will receive a 1 percent wage increase in the third year of the contract, which runs through June 2012. Employees may be eligible for an additional 2 percent increase, depending on school enrollment and state aid.

ATU, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority: In Rhode Island, the state legislature is considering legislation to remove binding arbitration at the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. Members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 618 have been without a contract since June and say they would issue a strike notice if the binding arbitration provision is removed. 

ATU, Veolia Transportation: Transit workers (ATU) in Escambia County, Fla., unanimously gave their union authority to call a strike late last month. Veolia Transportation, the private company that runs the authority, has refused to honor the 4.5 percent annual raise guaranteed by the contract. 

UFCW, Safeway and King Soopers: After working without a contract since May, Colorado grocery workers in UFCW Local 7 last week began voting on a contract offer from Safeway and King Soopers (Kroger).  Mail ballots will take about two weeks to tally.  

UFCW, Fry’s and Safeway: Some 25,000 grocery workers in Arizona, members of UFCW Local 99, last week began voting on a contract offer by Fry’s and Safeway supermarkets. The deal includes two $0.25 per-hour wage increases and maintains free health coverage, despite attempts by the companies to charge workers for health insurance.

SETTLEMENTS

AFSCME, Van Buren County: In Michigan, AFSCME and Van Buren County reached a new three-year agreement that protects health benefits and provides job security.

AFSCME, State of Iowa: Iowa state workers, members of AFSCME, voted to accept a new contract that will prevent layoffs. About 9,000 AFSCME members will take five furlough days to cut costs. 

MTC, Northrup Grumman: Members of the Metal Trades Council at Northrup Grumman’s Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., voted to extend their contract until March 2012. The agreement includes a $1,000 bonus and maintains current health care coverage.

IAM, Harley-Davidson: Members of the Machinists (IAM) at Harley-Davidson’s plant in York, Pa., ratified a seven-year contract last week , which, along with incentives offered by Gov. Ed Rendell, requires the company to remain in York.

AFT, Rutgers University: The 1,900 members of the Union of Rutgers Administrators (URA-AFT) ratified an agreement with the university to defer salary increases through January 2011 in exchange for no employee furloughs for the contract term.

AFM, Sarasota Orchestra: The Sarasota Orchestra Players’ Association, American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 427-721, reached a two-year agreement with the orchestra after months of negotiations. The musicians’ contract expired in August, and they had since been working under the orchestra’s final terms.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only.  As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy. Readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.

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