UNITE HERE Ratifies Contract

After over 10 Months of bargaining CWA and UNITE HERE have reached an agreement, and the members have unanimously voted to ratify. The following outlines the contract changes: ·         5 year contract ·         Continued premium free healthcare ·         Wage increases of 2.25% (2017), 2.25% (2018), 2.25% (2019), 2.5% (2020), 2.5% (2021) for each year of the contract. o   Retroactive increase to January 1, 2017 o   Step increases 1.5% for eligible employees o   Step increases eliminated for new hires o   Elimination of parity language ·         Officers will attend meeting (if agenda is provided) with Staff and Supervisors at least four times per year ·         Automatic contract extension (with retroactive economic provisions) if still bargaining with YALE ·         Improved process for vacation scheduling o   All vacation is granted for scheduling purposes at beginning of year o   Vacations scheduled by seniority o   Allotments predetermined o   Swapping weeks between employees with two weeks’ notice o   Approvals will not be delayed due to management absence ·         Improved O.T. language o   O.T. will be paid in 30 minute vs. 1 minute increments o   O.T. will be communicated as far in advance as possible ·         Improved discipline guidelines o   Defined progressive steps of discipline o   Chief Steward notified prior to discipline o   Coaching and development will be provided prior to any absence or W.P. discipline. Counseling and action plans will be documented ·         Improved grievance language o   Incorporates officers into process o   Grievances filed with 30 days from date or action to be grieved o   Company agrees to meet within 15 days of grievance request o   Answers to grievances will be provided within 7 days o   Established grievance documents ·         Elimination of Summer hours ·         Schedules of individual staff will be set by supervisor o   Employees may still request temporary alternative work schedules