Patricia Smith 

Statement by RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum:

Today's confirmation of Patricia Smith as the Labor Department's new solicitor is great news for America's working families.

Watch video of the event 

Over 700 RWDSU Local 224 members in East Long Meadow, Massachusetts, have ratified a new three-year contract with their employer, Hasbro/Milton Bradley. After tough negotiations, the membership voted to approve a contract with annual raises and most importantly, a protected health care package.

RWDSU Local 582 members employed at G&K services in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, have ratified a new three-year agreement. The route sales representatives of the work wear provider are already enjoying several improvements made in the contract.

Wages will increase 2 percent each year of the contract, and members will receive an additional paid holiday (Family Day). There are increases in the pension benefits, and enhanced military leave provisions.

In addition, the company will contribute $500 per year for a shop steward training fund.

Long and difficult negotiations culminated in an overwhelming ratification of a new five-year pact for over 500 RWDSU Local 513 members in New England on Sunday, January 24. The workers, who are employed at Coca-Cola plants in Needham, Braintree, and Waltham (all in Massachusetts) approved a contract that has numerous improvements.

RWDSU members employed at Massey Wholesale in Massey, Ontario, have ratified a strong new contract which gives them substantial wage increases and other benefit improvements. The truck drivers and warehouse and office workers at the food distribution warehouse will see 3.25 percent annual wage increases over the three-year agreement.

In addition, there are increases in clothing allowances, two more paid sick days, improvements in the vacation policy that will see some members gaining an extra week of vacation time, and an additional paid holiday.

On December  31, 2009, members of the Fayette County Highway Department unit of RWDSU Local 512 in Connersville, Indiana, voted overwhelmingly to accept a new three-year agreement. The contract includes wage increases and benefit improvements for all members in the unit. Most importantly, the new contract maintains and protects the employees’ health insurance and pension benefits.
RWDSU members employed at the Fayette County Highway Department Unit maintain over 400 miles of county roads in east central Indiana.

RWDSU members and their children are encouraged to apply for the Union Plus Scholarship program. Recipients are eligible for $500 - $4,000 scholarships for college graduate and undergraduate programs. The deadline for applications is January 30.

Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than
$2.4 million to union members and their families.

 For eligibility details and to download the application, go here.

     Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (right) meets with RWDSU Local 3  members in New York City to review a new contract with Bloomingdales in the 1960s.

This week, Americans everywhere salute the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For RWDSU members Dr. King's legacy has special meaning.

We take special pride that, in 1968, the RWDSU was the first union anywhere to negotiate a contract guaranteeing Dr. King's birthday as a paid holiday.