Local 513 Members Ratify New Agreement With Pepsi (2/19/08)

Locao 513 members have a new contract.

A new four-year agreement between RWDSU Local 513 members and the Pepsi Bottling Company of Merrimack Valley plant in Haverhill, Massachusetts, protects health care, raises wages, and contains a number of other important improvements.

The 52 workers at the bottling plant will see their wages increase by 12 percent over the life of the contract, and will see no change or additional costs to their health care coverage. Pension benefits will increase, and short-term disability benefits will rise by up to 75 percent for some employees. Under the old formula, short-term disability was $250 per week. Now, workers will receive 60 percent of their weekly salary, up to $1,000. An employee earning $1,000 would now receive a $600 weekly short-term disability benefit.

The probationary period for new employees will be shortened from 24 months to 18 months, which means that new employees will see their pay rise to non-probationary levels six months earlier than before.

In addition, all employees will receive a $300 lump-sum bonus for ratifying the contract.