DUFERCO Steelworkers ratify four-year contract

Workers will contribute to health care if costs rise 15 percent or more.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- Hourly wage increases each year and a $500 signing bonus are part of a four-year contract ratified by hourly employees of Duferco Farrell Corp. and its joint venture under Gibraltar DFC Strip Steel LLC.
The agreement was worked out between the United Steelworkers of America and the companies as the old pact expired one week ago. Union members ratified the terms of the pact in a 274-106 vote Thursday.
The agreement affects about 410 employees.
It calls for hourly wage increases of 55 cents in the first year, 60 cents in the second, 70 cents in the third and 85 cents in the fourth.
There are four wage classifications and the agreement raises them to $14.47 an hour, $15.57 an hour, $17.17 an hour and $18.97 an hour in the first year.
In addition to the $500 signing bonus, the contract gives workers two additional paid holidays per year for a total of 10 and it adds a third week of vacation after eight years of service and a fourth week of vacation after 15 years. Workers currently have two weeks' vacation.
Health-care costs
Employees will give up profit sharing and, should health-care costs rise by 15 percent or more next year, they will have to contribute to their health-care premiums, something they aren't doing now.
Those payments would be capped at $80 per month for family coverage and $30 per month for singles.
Negotiations were "give and take" and at times were intense over the six-week period the contract was hammered out, said David McLaren, president of USW Local 1016-03.
"We're very, very pleased with this," said Michael Hrycyk, Duferco's human resources manager.
Other highlights of the contract include:
UImproved contributions to the pension fund at the rate of 10 cents an hour in the first year, 15 cents in both the second and third years and 20 cents in the fourth year.
UIncreased life insurance from $35,000 to $40,000.
UShift differentials of 25 cents per hour for afternoon and 30 cents per hour for midnight shifts. There were no differentials before this contract.
UImproved short-term disability coverage.