Local 89 Departments
Building Materials and Construction Trades Division

LOCAL 89 SECURES NEW AGREEMENT AT JEFFBOAT

Jeffboat members overwhelmingly ratified a new three (3) year agreement on Sunday February 18th, 2007.
The final vote count was 477 to 28
Highlights from this agreement include:
Economic Improvements
* An 18.45 percent wage hike during the contract. The breakdown is an 11.45% increase the first year, a 4% increase the second year and 3% increase the third year.

* Improvements in pension & 401K

* Enhancements to Life Insurance, medical, dental and vision benefits with no increase in year one.

* A $350.00 signing bonus

* Improvements in vacation time notification and an additional week of vacation for employees with 17 years of service.

* One additional holiday (Good Friday).

* Improvements in funeral leave.

* The company will replace worn or damaged gloves (1 pair per week), saving members about $10/week

Language Improvements

* The company agreed that they will not support any future effort by any employee to decertify the union.

* The company agreed that the union will be given 30 minutes during new employee orientation meetings , with union membership taking place at 30 days.

* Business Agents and the Chief Steward will be given greater access to members by allowing them access to the facility in their personal vehicles.

* The company agreed to pay to print the agreement in English and Spanish.

* The company will not harass or intimidate employees who file a grievance.

* Improvements in shift change notification.

* Improvements in work rules and in the assignment of overtime.

* Attendance program points will zero out upon ratification.

OPEN LETTER TO THE MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JEFFBOAT LLC & AMERICAN COMMERCIAL LINES, INC., as well as to the entire COMMUNITY
As seen in the Courier Journal on Monday, December 11th, 2006 please click link to read entire article

VICTORY AT JEFFBOAT

After a long anti-union campaign by the company, Local 89 was victorious in showing JeffBoat that employees do wish by a very large margin to remain members of Local 89. The management of Jeffboat did everything possible to try and get the members to decertify from the union. They have actively campaigned over the last several months by wearing Vote NO shirts, sending DVD’s & gifts to their employees. The members knew that this was only an attempt to get votes and that after the Vote, without union representation the company would have full control over the employees without protection from unjust terminations or pay cuts. We would like to thank everyone for all their hard work in proving to JeffBoat that Local 89 is here to stay and fight for the members employed there.
The final vote total is as follows: 649 – Yes to 190 - No

Gohmann Construction, Faulkner Construction and TGM
BY: Business Agent Jeff Cooper

Local 89 has just negotiated a new Heavy Highway Construction Agreement covering the entire state of Kentucky and six counties in southern Indiana.
Members working under this agreement will continue to enjoy the C-6 health and welfare plan at no cost, will receive a 7% increase to the Central States Pension Plan in each year of the agreement, and will get a .50 cent per hour increase in pay each year of the contract. My thanks to everyone involved for a job well done! 

Advance Ready Mix
By: Mike Fackler

Members at Advance Ready Mix have ratified a new three-year agreement. This contract provides improvements in wages as well refinements in contract language. Special thanks to Matt Toy, Mark Owens and Steve Porter for their assistance during negotiations.

Victory at Irving Materials
By:  Business Agent Mike Fackler

Local 89’s campaign to organize Non-Union workers At Ready Mix Company’s in Kentucky and southern Indiana continues to roll, with the latest victory at IMI’s facility in Harrodsburg.

Business Agent and Organizer David Swift and I have spent the last six months meeting with workers at various construction sites throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana. During these meetings David and I have answered questions and outlined the important benefits that workers receive by joining the Teamsters

Local 89 already has several Ready Mix Company’s under contract, and our goal is to organize all of the work sites, and give these workers the strength and a VOICE they deserve.

Most locations have five to ten employees, so by joining the Teamsters these small units get the enhanced power of a large union standing behind them, Not only that, but by organizing more sites the contracts negotiated will continue to get stronger.

Within the last year, Local 89 has won elections in Hopkinsville, Campbellsville, Brandenburg, Winchester and the most recent victory in Harrodsburg. Local 89’s ultimate goal is to organize every Ready Mix facility within our jurisdiction.

By reaching out to all locations, our current members, along with our new members, will have the representation needed to get fair wages and benefits, and will build unity and strength in our Building Materials and Construction Trades division.