REAL ALLOY WORKERS WIN FIRST TEAMSTERS CONTRACT

MORGANTOWN, KENTUCKY – Workers at the Real Alloy aluminum recycling and alloy production plant voted unanimously to ratify their first union contract, formally making them the newest members of Teamsters Local 89. This historic first agreement covers approximately 140 employees and is a major victory for working people in rural Kentucky that greatly enhances the pay, benefits and workplace rights of these new Real Alloy Teamsters.

The new three-year agreement includes significant economic improvements, including contractually guaranteed yearly pay increases that are 54% higher than what they received before they unionized. Real Alloy workers also won a powerful union health insurance plan under Teamcare which includes tremendous savings in deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, co-pays and other areas. Notably, this is the same union health insurance fund that most UPS Teamsters in Kentucky participate in.

Workers at Real Alloy initially voted to be represented by Teamsters Local 89 on April 29^th and began negotiating with the Company on June 24^th. Although negotiations moved very slowly throughout the summer, bargaining began progressing much more quickly after workers voted by an overwhelming 96% to authorize a strike if one became necessary.

“Our new members got fed up with slowdowns and delays in bargaining”, said Teamsters Local 89 Business Agent Daniel Cartmill, who will be serving as the direct representative for members at Real Alloy.  “The Company was playing games even though our folks weren’t being unreasonable. Our members just wanted a fair contract, and they used that strike vote to send a very clear message that they were ready to do whatever it took to make that happen.”