Loews Chicago O’Hare Shuttle Drivers Unanimously Ratify New CBA with Wage Raises, New Retirement Plan Option, and Scheduling Improvements

Teamsters Local 727 members employed by Loews Chicago O’Hare voted unanimously on Friday to ratify a successor collective bargaining agreement secured by the Union last month.  Along with wage raises and the introduction of a 401(k) retirement plan option, the new 4-year agreement covering Loews shuttle drivers also includes a number of scheduling improvements.

Under the new agreement, all Loews shuttle drivers will receive annual wage increases.  In total, members’ hourly wage rates will rise $3.50 over the life of the contract.  Additionally, the CBA introduces a new overnight premium.  Loews members that are scheduled to work an overnight shift will now receive an additional $0.50 per hour shift premium.  The newly ratified CBA also requires Loews management to offer shuttle drivers, for the very first time, the option of participating in the Company’s 401(k) retirement plan.

The successor agreement also contains new language which significantly improves shift and overtime scheduling.  Drivers schedules and overtime will now be assigned strictly based upon seniority and, according to the new CBA, no employee can be forced to work overtime.  Should a driver be called in to work, the agreement stipulates that he or she must receive no less than 4 hours of pay.

In addition to wage, retirement, and scheduling improvements, the Local 727 bargaining committee also succeeded in securing additional PTO days for employees with less than 5 years of seniority.  By the expiration of the agreement, all Loews drivers, regardless of their length of service, will receive 10 paid days off annually for use as vacation, personal, or sick leave.

“When we entered negotiations for this agreement, Local 727’s top priorities were to raise the wages and benefits of all of our Loews members to a higher standard.  I’m very proud that with this CBA we have done just that,” said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727.  “Local 727 is proud to represent Loews shuttle drivers and we look forward to continuing to fight on their behalf.”

Members with questions should contact Business Representative Chris Oweyemi at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected].

Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.

Category: HOTELS