Whirlpool worker Bill Bennett summed up his thoughts on the tentative labor agreement Wednesday like this:
“I don’t think that you could do much better. I think you could do a lot worse,” Bennett said.
Another worker, Kenny Krack, said: “Overall, I think it’s pretty good. If you don’t accept it … you’re not going to have a job, basically. I think most people are smart enough to realize that.”
Members of Local 808 of the International Union of Electrical Workers began voting on the new pact with Whirlpool on Wednesday.
Even those who had concerns about the proposed five-year labor contract said they believed it would be ratified.
“I’m not really happy with it altogether, but I don’t feel we really have a choice,” said Beverly Mansfield.
Most of the workers interviewed as they left Local 808 offices Wednesday said they were voting in favor of the agreement, which was hammered out between the company and union over the last several weeks.
The contract would give most workers at the Evansville Whirlpool plant, who earn $15.19 an hour, a raise of $1.05 over five years, plus $2,300 in a signing bonus and lump sum payments during that time.
Wages for beginning assemblers, who now get $10.50 an hour under the company’s two-tier pay system, would see their wages increased by $1.75 an hour over five years. They, too would receive the $2,300 in payments.
The agreement also includes improvements to pensions, sickness and accident benefits, tuition reimbursement and other items.
One controversial subject in negotiations, a company proposal for random drug testing, was dropped at the last negotiating session.
If union members reject the contract, they will go on strike at 11:59 p.m. tonight.
Local 808 leaders have asked the membership to approve the agreement, citing, among other things, the tough job market and the possibility that Whirlpool could move more production jobs to Mexico.
Union members will continue to vote through 8:30 a.m. today at the Local 808 hall, 2331 Bergdolt Road, Evansville.
Tonya Winstead, one of the workers voting Wednesday, said she thought workers would ratify the agreement. However, many workers had talked of going on strike until the company proposed its final agreement, she said.
Among the things that may have made workers change their mind were the decision to drop random drug testing and the pay raise improvement, Winstead said.
Rosalie Ashworth, who also voted Wednesday, said she, too, thought the agreement would be ratified.
“I just figure we’re lucky to have a job right now. Where am I going to go and make what I’m making here?” she said.
From courierpress.com