Assessment passes 48-3

     After much discussion regarding what the terms of the dues assessment should be it was decided that all employees would be assessed $100 with employees who have less than 1 year of employment paying a prorated amount based their service time.

     Some had sought to charge foreman a higher assessment based on thier hourly wage (no other class was asked to do so), but the measure was voted down resoundingly due to the fact that any union member is are to receive equal representation for an equal amount of money paid to the union.

Contract Ratified, Retro Checks Due In Spring

     With over 90% of all employees voting in favor of the contract it is obvious that most were happy with the outcome,  it's been a long time since there has been such a concensus.

Highlights:

     Period = 3 1/2 years

     No medical payments

     Pension age without penalty reduced to age 60

     No work rule changes

     Retroactive pay

     Increased medical benefits

Terms of the agreement

     January 1, 2007     4%

     January 1, 2008    3.5%

     January 1, 2009     3%

Pension plan changes for all members hired after January 1, 1988

     Incumbent employees (post 1988 to ratification date) who have at least 5 years of service will now be able to retire at age 60 (instead of age 62) with no penalty. Below is a reduction scale for early retirement from age 55 with less than 30 years of service.

      Old Plan                                            New Plan

Age     % Reduction                    Age     % Reduction

62         0                                        62         0

61         6                                        61         0

60         12                                      60         0

59         15                                      59         3

58         18                                      58         6

57         21                                      57         9

56         24                                      56        12

55         27                                      55        15

Dental 10% increase in coverage in benefits

Vision 10% increase in coverage in benefits

New employees hired after ratification date

4% pension contribution for 10 years. Incumbent employees will be unaffected, continuing thier 3% contributions

Overtime earnings in excess of 20% of regular wages shall not be included in pension calculations

New employees will fall under the present, post 1988 defined benefit pension plan. The early retirement reduction scale outlined above labeled old plan, will still apply for new hires.

Stabilization of forces

Increased by 36 months to January 1, 1998