In a significant development for local workers, union members at Arconic’s Quad Cities facility have approved a new three-year contract. The agreement, reached between the company and the United Steelworkers union, was ratified after a vote held at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Details of the New Contract

The contract, effective through June 15, 2029, includes a 5% wage increase in the first year, followed by a 4% increase in each of the subsequent two years. Importantly for workers, the agreement maintains current healthcare premiums, ensuring no additional financial burden in this area.

Changes to vacation time calculations are also a key feature of the new contract. Workers will now require less seniority to qualify for additional paid time off. For instance, employees with at least seven years of experience can now earn three weeks of PTO, down from the previous ten-year requirement. The maximum vacation entitlement of five weeks is now available after 23 years of service, a reduction from 25 years.

Seniority and Layoff Provisions

The contract also addresses seniority issues, restoring it for workers who experienced layoffs before 2019 that lasted over 90 days. This move is seen as a positive step for those affected by past workforce reductions.

Negotiations for this contract were intensive, extending close to the expiration of the previous agreement on May 16. A 24-hour extension was necessary to finalize discussions. The contract covers approximately 3,400 workers across four states, with around 1,800 based in the Quad Cities area.

This development underscores the importance of local labor agreements in securing fair wages and benefits for workers, reflecting the community’s commitment to supporting its workforce.

Original reporting: WQAD (Quad Cities) — read the source article.