Laneko Engineering Co. employees, members of Machine Tool
& Die Local 155, ratified a new three-year agreement by a two-to-one
margin on Oct. 1. The contract will raise the average rate of $14.37 by 50
cents each year.
Laneko workers build tools and dies and produce metal
stampings primarily for the auto industry and perform precision machining of
custom components for aerospace and other applications. The contract covers
105 workers at Laneko locations here and in Montgomeryville.
These members of amalgamated UE Local 155 gain a personal
holiday, the tenth paid holiday; a new provision for a one-day paid funeral
leave for an employees sibling, grandparent, mother-in-law or
father-in-law; and a fourth week of vacation after 15 years of service.
In addition, the contract increases sickness and accident
benefit, currently $250, by $50, $25 and $25; $2,000 is added to the life
insurance, currently $10,000. The basic dental coverage is upgraded to a much
better comprehensive plan. Insurance coverage for sickness and accident
absences is expanded from three months to six months.
Language gains include written bids for job openings during
the five-day posting periods, limits on the retention of unit seniority to one
year for members who accept jobs outside the unit, and payment of pro-rated
vacation for employees who die, retire or voluntarily leave employment.
Employees will now contribute $8 per week towards the cost of
insurance premiums, as the employer faced an immediate 10.7 percent increase
over last years costs, but will see a benefit from the vastly improved
family dental plan.
The UE Laneko shop committee consists of Chief Steward Max
Baughman, Geoff Olson, John Klatcher, Engineering Second Shift Steward Bill
Hunt and Precision Steward Florian Kempf. They were assisted by
Field Org. Jim Ermi.
