Improved Benefits, Wages at Holsum Bakery (5/23/07)

The 70 production and maintenance employees at Holsum Bakery in Fort Wayne, Indiana, have ratified a new three year agreement that protects the workers' health insurance and guarantees a three and one half percent increase in the total economic package (wages, pension, and health insurance).

"The committee did a great job negotiating this agreement, and I'm especially happy about the increase in the pension contributions by Holsum," production line worker Cliff Mickels said. "I know I'm going to have a great retirement thanks to the RWDSU and the contracts our guys have negotiated."
The workers, members of RWDSU Local 835, also made gains in funeral leave. The union's bargaining committee included Robert Brown, Sr., David Heidtman and Terry Smith. They were assisted by Indiana Joint Board President and Representative David Altman.