25 Teamsters employed as mechanics, equipment operators and scale house attendants at five solid waste transfer yards operated by Republic Services of Sonoma County (California) have unanimously ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The new CBA delivers wage parity and Teamster health coverage, among other improvements.
“We let Republic know at the start that fair wages and a better health plan were a must if we were going to agree to a settlement”, said Local 665 Principal Officer Tony Delorio following the ratification vote.
“We would not recommend this contract if those goals were not achieved”, Delorio said. Local 665 Recording Secretary Juan Gallo, who led the negotiations, explained that the new agreement equalizes the wage scale, bringing all classifications in line through the contract’s four-year term.
“Members wanted the wage scale equalized. We got that job done”, said Gallo after the vote.
Hourly wages will average an increase of $10 over the life of the new contract.
When negotiations began, Teamsters working at Republic demanded improvements in their health plan.
The solution: Enrollment in Teamsters Benefit Trust (TBT), one of the largest union plans in Northern California.
“The company health plan was inadequate. We’re glad to be in a better union plan, just like thousands of other Teamsters in California”, Republic shop steward Rob Skov said.
Going forward Teamsters at Republic, and their dependents, will have access to improved health care under TBT. The new contract incorporates contractual clauses that maintain benefits fully.
In approving the new agreement, Teamsters at Republic also gained an additional sick leave day, one additional week of vacation annually, and stronger language that will improve working conditions.
