Union Secures Contract with Largest Wage Raise in Skyway Bargaining Unit History
Teamsters Local 727 members employed by Skyway Concessions Co. unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement covering toll booth collectors. The three-year contract provides for annual wage raises, enhanced benefits, and worker safety improvements.
“The Local 727 bargaining committee stood firm on the issues that matter most to these members,” said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727, “and thanks to the Union’s persistence and determination, our members will receive fair compensation for their years of hard work.”
In the first year under the newly ratified CBA, employees will receive a $2.65 per hour wage increase—the largest in this bargaining unit’s history—retroactive to March 1, 2018, as well as annual raises for the life of the contract. Toll collectors will also see a 150% raise in their Training Premium and the addition of a new Overnight Shift Premium that adds $0.25 to the base wage rate for any hours worked between 8:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M..
Additionally, the new contract improves employees’ paid time off benefits, adding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a paid holiday, allowing all employees to carry over half of their unused sick time into the next year, and guaranteeing part-time employees three sick days upfront at the beginning of each year with accrual of additional time during the year.
The new CBA also includes provisions requiring the Company to address issues of worker safety. Firstly, a Union Business Agent will be added as a member of the Company’s Safety Committee. Secondly, whereas there was previously no minimum required number of meetings, the Safety Committee will now be mandated to meet at least twice each year to discuss ongoing issues of concern regarding the safety of toll collectors. Finally, under the new CBA, Skyway Concessions Co. is required to clean the interior of each toll booth, including removing all dirt, soot, and any other substances present, twice per year.
“Member safety is of the utmost importance to Local 727,” added Coli. “This CBA ensures these dedicated workers remain safe and healthy on and off the job-site.”
Members with questions should contact Business Representative Chris Owoyemi 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. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: Skyway
