The St. Louis County snow plow drivers' strike ended early Monday morning when the Teamsters announced at 3:45am that they had reached a settlement with the County. The 168 workers had been on strike since Wednesday, Jan. 15. Their daily pickets went up at every Public Works Department site in the County, despite the cold temperatures. As a result of their courageous efforts, the workers won a much better contract than the County had initially been willing to sign. We salute the brothers, sisters and siblings of Teamsters Local 320 on their hard fought victory!
The tentative agreement was subsequently unanimously endorsed by the membership. Below is a press release issued by Local 320 outlining the details of their the settlement won by the strike:
The agreement will provide the following:
Wages 2020 – 2.00% plus a $0.55 general wage increase;
Wages 2021 – 2.25% general wage increase;
Wages 2022 – 2.25% general wage increase;
The county agrees to allow the group to join the Teamsters Joint Council 32 Health and Welfare Plan including dental and vision coverage for bargaining unit employees. Family coverage will save employees as much as $500 per month.
Step increases within range were compressed providing greater value to each step and a shorter period for employees to reach the top of range.
The county agreed to an employer-financed Health Savings Account (HRA) and two more personal days for the bargaining unit employees.
“The agreement that was ratified tonight is groundbreaking for St. Louis County employees,” says Brian Aldes, Teamsters Local 320 Secretary Treasurer and Principal Officer. “The vacation accrual has been standardized for all bargaining unit employees and sick leave accruals have been increased.”
Chief negotiator for St. Louis County employees, Erik Skoog, is proud of his negotiating committee and their wherewithal to keep going after 15 and a half hours of mediation with the county.
“The team deserves all the credit for negotiating an excellent round of contract negotiations,” says Skoog. “I’m also proud the not one Teamster crossed the picket line.”
“We want to thank all the elected leaders, candidates, and St. Louis County Board members who stood with us during these difficult days,” says Sami Gabriel, President of Teamsters Local 320 and Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE (Democratic, Republican, Independent, Voter Education). “We also must thank the countless labor unions, churches, neighbors, community groups, and regular citizens who supported striking Teamsters with donations and encouragement. The response from the community has been outstanding.”
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