I.J White Systems Workers Secure Health Care With New Agreement (5/15/07)

RWDSU Local 1102 members employed at I.J. White Systems in Farmingdale, NY, are enjoying increased wages and a secure health plan after toughing out a 21-day strike. The walk out, which began April 9, came in response to the company's refusal to abandon demands that workers pay an increased share of their health care costs. The employees not only succeeded in stopping the cost shifting plan, they also won wage increases totaling 11.5 percent over the three-year contract.

"This victory is a great example of what happens when workers stick together," Local 1102 President Frank Bail said, adding that union members "showed amazing solidarity on the picket lines."

"When the company saw that nobody was returning to work, they realized they couldn't win," Bail concluded.

The workers at I.J. White Systems manufacture equipment for the food processing industry including conveyor belts, freezing and cooling machines, and cleaning equipment.