News

Village of Tequesta/ Contract Reached - Congratulations Local 3181

I am pleased to announce that on August 13, 2014, CWA Local 3181 reached a tentative agreement with the Village of Tequesta. We will be taking this to a ratification vote on August 29, 2014.

Some of the highlights are as follows:

  1. We agreed to a 4% wage increase over the next two years
  2. Health Insurance was the key article in dispute. The Village wanted us to go to a high deductible health insurance plan. But we held our ground and demanded to keep our traditional plan only. At the end, after a plethora of CWA advertizing on Mobil Billboards and in the Sunday news papers as well as picketing the Village Council at two Council Meetings, and more importantly, the workers in the Village sticking together, the Village agreed not only to let us keep our plan, but the workers will not be paying the $50. Per month for single plan and the Family will not be paying the $100. Per month for there plan. In the third year, if the Health Insurance premium goes up, we will pay our share of the higher premium. However if it goes down the Village will pay the workers.
  3. We also were able to improve on our contract as indicated below:
    1. Additional time off for the Tequesta CWA Vice President
    2. Improvements in the Vacation Article
    3. Changes in the Layoff Article
    4. Improvements in the Pay Benefits Article, we got a new section on Working in a Higher Classification. After an employee works more that 16 hours in a F/Y in a higher classification, they will be paid the minimum of the higher classification or 5%, whichever is greater.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jorge Rodriguez, our CWA Staff Representative for his help. I would also like to thank our bargaining team, Joe Petrick, CWA Vice President, Mike Sudell, Chief Steward and Jay Kuper, Steward for their invaluable participation at the bargaining table. But most of all I thank all the members in the Village of Tequesta for staying strong and supporting their bargaining team through-out this campaign.

Rick Poulette, Local President 3181