Two Erie, Pennsylvania, chapters of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America voted to ratify a new four-year contract with railroad equipment maker Wabtec on Thursday evening.
The two sides reached a tentative contract agreement yesterday, hours before the vote. UE Locals 506 and 618’s 1,400 members went on strike on June 22 after six weeks of contract negotiations failed to bring a new labor agreement. The vote brings an end to a 10-week strike at Wabtec’s Erie plant.
Union members will return to work at first shift on Sept. 5, the company said in an email.
“Wabtec is pleased the UE members ratified the collective bargaining agreement,” the company told Manufacturing Dive in an email. “We look forward to having our employees back, working on the innovative technologies that help drive our customers’ success, while also contributing to a cleaner planet.”
Wabtec’s updated four-year contract proposal with UE Locals 506 and 618 includes additional guaranteed annual pay increases, such as a 3% bump after the first year, as well as a lump sum $1,500 payment during the terms of the agreement.
“This contract represents a substantial improvement over what Wabtec had on the table in June,” UE Local 506 President Scott Slawson said in a statement. “We are proud of the resolve of the membership over 70 days on the picket line. As a result of the action taken by our members, we made both economic and non-economic gains. The membership has voted to ratify this agreement. It’s time to get back to work.”
