Seventeen IAM Local Lodge 777 (IAM District 9) members recently ratified a three-year solid agreement, their first after organizing with the IAM, at David Taylor Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in St. Louis, MO.
The membership voted overwhelmingly to accept the tentative agreement, which includes District 9 healthcare with no premium cost to the employee, the District 9 defined contribution pension plan and wage increases of $2 per hour over the three-year contract.
“As the DBR of District 9, I am so impressed and proud of not only our organizer Bob Beloit and Business Representative Dwight Terry, but also the members at David Taylor that stood together to support their common interests for a fantastic first contract,” said Dave Weaver, District 9 Directing Business Representative.
“The strength of the guys at David Taylor and the prep work that Organizer Bob Beloit did allow us to negotiate a great first contract,” said Dwight Terry, District 9 Business Representative. “As the group said that day, we voted this contract as a great place to start.”
“This was a strong group from the beginning with the lead coming from one of our members,” said Bob Beloit, District 9 Organizer. “The company put up a strong fight hiring an anti-union attorney who brought in a full-time union-busting consultant. The group held strong through the campaign delivering a win on election day that found us all coming together for a fish fry at a local park.”
“This is a great first contract for our members, one in which will serve as a strong foundational template for future negotiations,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “I congratulate the members of David Taylor for their solidarity in overcoming the company’s anti-union campaign and winning major job improvements for themselves and their co-workers. Special thanks go to District 9 Organizer Bob Beloit, Directing Business Representative Dave Weaver, Business Representative Dwight Terry, and all of the District 9 staff who provided leadership and guidance throughout the organizing and negotiations processes.”
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