Wheatland Tube workers OK contract

SHARON, Pa. -- Hourly employees at Wheatland Tube Co.'s Sharon plant will begin picking up a portion of their health care insurance premiums under terms of a new contract.
Members of Local 1016 of the United Steelworkers of America voted 240-127 Wednesday to ratify the agreement which comes three months before the old pact expired, said Bill Kerins, vice president of operations.
The new contract at the Sharon plant takes effect July 1 and will run for four years and three months, expiring Sept. 30, 2008, Kerins said.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2005, each of the 400 employees will contribute $40 a month toward their insurance premiums. That goes to $45 on Jan. 1, 2006, $50 on Jan. 1, 2007, and $55 on Jan. 1, 2008.
The health insurance coverage will also shift from a 100 percent plan to a 95-5 plan that has employees picking up 5 percent of direct health care costs, up to pre-determined maximum amounts.
The average hourly base rate, excluding overtime and incentive pay, at the plant is $15.30 now.
Employees will get a 60-cent per hour raise July 1, 50 cents per hour Oct. 1, 2005, 45 cents per hour Oct. 1, 2006, and 60 cents per hour Oct. 1, 2007.
They are also getting a $1,000 signing bonus.
Kerins said Wheatland Tube bought the Sharon plant in April 2002 and, since then, has added 66 jobs and invested more than $8 million in capital improvements to the facility.