Contract Reached At Seagull
Lighting, Philadelphia Glass
PHILADELPHIA, Pa
By a three-to-one margin, UE Local 168 members voted on Feb. 2
to ratify a new contract with Seagull Lighting and Philadelphia Glass Bending.
The two shops have the same owner.
Wages increase by 25 cents in each of the three years. Life
insurance is improved by $2,000 effective Feb. 1, 2001; the sickness and
accident benefit goes up by $5 on Feb. 1, 2002. The pension benefit advances
to $14.25 a month per years of service on Feb. 1, 2002.
The union successfully fought off company plans to have
employees who carry single coverage to contribute towards the premium. The
parties agreed to a change to Keystone HMO, including a prescription plan with
$6 cost for generic drugs, $10 for brand-names. The contract adds an opt-out
provision; with proof of alternative coverage, employees get 25 cents added to
their hourly rate. The company agrees to immediate reinstatement of coverage
if the alternate plan is lost, or the company will pay its cost to the
employee for COBRA until reinstatement is accomplished.
The new contract allows employees to take their birthday
holidays within two weeks of the actual birth date.
The union also prevailed in fighting off company demands for
post-injury drug tests and proration of vacations after 30 days of sickness
and accident leave.
The Local 168 committee members were, Pres. Seretha Taylor;
from Philadelphia Glass Bending, Ida Pierce and Janet Johnson;
from Seagull, Cathy Burke and Teresa Isom. They were assisted by
Field Org. Jim Ermi.
UE News - 03/00
