Local 727 Protects Members’ Rights & Benefits in Latest Round of Contract Negotiations with SCI

| March 13, 2017

Representatives of Local 727 and Service Corporation International engaged in another round of negotiations for a successor agreement to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which expired June 30, 2016. Union representatives fought for and were able to preserve much of the current contract language (CCL) of the previous CBA.

“SCI seems to love gutting the pay and benefits of our hardworking members,” said John Coli Jr., President of Teamsters Local 727. “We are determined to not let that happen and we didn’t, fighting hard to protect what our members rightly deserve and have earned as a result of their labor serving the needs of grieving families.”

At the start of negotiations, the union proposed only five changes based on members’ demands, while the funeral industry giant proposed a whopping 90 changes to the CCL. Arguing with force and determination throughout the bargaining session, the union convinced management to unload many of their proposals while preserving a majority of the provisions of the CBA.

The union preserved the following provisions:

  • Article 1.3 – funeral director and driver classifications
  • Article 3.5 – overtime pay
  • Article 3.6 – $30 for on stand-by call
  • Article 4 – hours of work
  • Article 5 – holidays
  • Article 6 – sick and/or personal days remain at 9
  • Article 9 – funeral leave
  • Article 12.3 – protection of disabled employee rights
  • Article 13, 13.4 – work conditions for livery chauffeurs and emergency work
  • Article 14 , 14.10 – extra chauffeur and minimum trip requirements
  • Article 18 – grievance and arbitration procedure
  • Article 22 – subcontracting

After negotiations concluded for the day, 9 issues still remain pending. The Union is working to preserve these important provisions:

  • Article 2.4 – enrollment forms
  • Article 3.1 – wage rates
  • Article 6.7 – sick and/or personal days waiver
  • Article 7 – vacations
  • Article 10 – health insurance, 401k and legal & educational assistance
  • Article 12 – seniority, layoff and rehire rights
  • Article 13.6 – removal and transfers
  • Article 20 – drug testing
  • Article 21 – management rights

The parties have agreed on the next bargaining session to take place on March 22, 2017, at FMCS in Hinsdale, IL.

Anyone with questions should contact Business Agent Nick Micaletti at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected].

Category: SCI/Alderwoods, Union News

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