OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 27, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen Union Local 6 representing 100 landfill workers at three East Bay disposal locations have told Waste Management (NYSE:WMI) that they plan on endorsing the final contract offer. They also state that they intend on recommending this offer to their membership for endorsement at the vote scheduled for later today.
Waste Management has offered a highly competitive package to union. The vote, which has been scheduled for this evening at the union hall, will allow Local 6 employees to ratify a new contract that includes a 25% wage and benefit increase, a $3,200 lump sum retro pay package, maintain the company paid retirement pension plan and maintain the union health care plan. Employees will be asked to contribute $20 per week to their health care starting in June 2007.
Like almost everyone in the country, Waste Management believes its employees must own and contribute to the cost of Health and Welfare. Virtually all of Waste Management's 50,000 employees contribute to health care. Currently, Waste Management pays nearly $1,000 per month per ILUW employee with "no" contributions.
"Waste Management is pleased that the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen Union Local 6 leadership and bargaining committee have strongly endorsed our contract offer that is fair to everyone and is competitive with the region and the industry," said David Tucker, Municipal Affairs Manager, Waste Management. "We made a comprehensive offer to the Union that fairly addresses the interests of the employees while preserving the company's requirement to continue operating in a highly competitive business environment."
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