Commercial Metal Forming workers have new contract

Workers will receive raises of between 3 percent and 4
percent a year.

YOUNGSTOWN — About 130 union workers at Commercial Metal Forming have a new contract that provides pay raises but also includes higher premiums for medical insurance.

Members of United Steelworkers of America Local 2332-1 approved the five-year contract Friday.

Workers, who earn an average of $18 an hour, will receive pay raises of 3 percent in each of the first two years of the contract, followed by 3.5 percent raises in each of the next two years and then 4 percent in the final year.

Jose Arroyo, recording secretary for the union, said raises and keeping a health-insurance plan that calls for members to pay for 10 percent of medical costs were important issues.

The workers’ share of monthly premiums, which had been $62, will increase to $139 over five years.

The contract is retroactive to Feb. 1. Arroyo said the union had been operating under an extension since then because the two sides needed time to bargain pension changes.

Future pension obligations will be managed by a multi-employer pension trust that is administered by the Steelworkers. Commercial Metal Forming will make contributions to the fund to cover pension credits that are earned going forward.

Bargaining was handled by Kirk Davies, a Steelworkers staff representative. Diana Halas is the unit president for the local, which is linked with the local representing workers at Parker Hannifin’s Youngstown operations.

Commercial Metal Forming was split off as a separate company after Cleveland-based Parker acquired the former Commercial Intertech, which was based in Youngstown. Commercial Metal Forming produces tank heads and metal stampings.