Long Negotiations Protects Health Care and Raises Pay for NJ Workers (6/6/07)

After eight months of intense negotiations, RWDSU Local 108 members who work for the Borough of River Edge, New Jersey, have ratified a new four-year contract that protects employees health benefits and also provides a major wage increase.

"These negotiations were all about the struggle to protect health care," says Local 108 Rep. Jasper Parnell.

"Members stood fast behind their negotiating committee and we beat back the company's attempt to add unacceptable costs to the health care coverage."

Parnell pointed out that the new pact also guarantees a 15.5 wage increase over the course of the contract. Local 108 members provide sanitation and maintenance services to borough residents.