Two-year agreements increase wages, keep benefits, but provide no “successor clause”

A three-day strike has been resolved at Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in Manitowoc, WI. The walkout by members of Local 301 of Glass, Molders, and Pottery International Union and Local 125 of the United Steelworkers of America began after a labor contract expired at midnight, January 31.

Approximately 200 workers are covered by a new two-year contract. The agreement provides a 0.5% increase in pay in 2010 and 1% increase in 2011 for the Glass, Molders, and Pottery union member while USWA members will receive a 1% increase in 2010 and 1.5% increase in 2011.

The new contracts are due to expire January 31, 2012.

According to local news reports, the foundry will continue to pay for 80% of the union workers’ health-insurance premiums.

The resolution apparently does not include a “successor clause,” which would require any new owner of the foundry to adhere to the terms of the contract, and which the unions originally indicated was the sticking point to reaching a new agreement.

Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry is a 100-year-old operation that produces aluminum and brass castings for a wide range of markets, including commercial, diesel, heavy equipment, and marine engines. It also has a proprietary line of cast aluminum cookware.

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