MICHIGAN

State workers’ contributions recognized

A cumulative 10.4 percent pay raise over the three-year pact, unusual in today’s bargaining atmosphere, was one of the highlights of the newly negotiated contract between UAW Local 6000 and the state of Michigan.

There are also improvements in the health insurance plan and unprecedented job security language in the contract that runs through Dec. 31, 2007.

“I’ve been a state employee since 1974 and this is the best contract we’ve ever had,” said Julie Thom, who works in the mailroom at Straits Correctional Facility in Kincheloe. “When I first heard about the contract, I thought it was too good to be true, but it just kept getting better. I’m just thrilled to death that we got this contract.”

Obviously others agreed the contract was solid, as the local’s nearly 17,000 members ratified the agreement by an 85 percent majority.

Fighting back state efforts to shift health insurance costs onto our members, the bargaining team was actually able to improve the benefits — such as 100 percent reimbursement for durable medical equipment, no deductible on childhood immunizations and annual mammograms starting at age 40 — with no additional cost to workers.

“Health insurance is always a tough issue, and we were able to improve our coverage with no cost increases,” said Sharon Rivera, president of Local 6000. “Also, strengthening job security is not only important to our members but important to maintaining the high quality of service the citizens of Michigan have come to expect.”

The bargaining team negotiated new language on overtime for parole and probation officers to allow more flexibility in scheduling and special increases for registered nurses to make wages competitive. State workers also won recognition of Election Day as a paid holiday in even-numbered years.

“We are extremely proud of this contract, given the economic climate that has made negotiations difficult for public employees across the country,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, who oversees the union’s Technical, Office and Professional Department that includes state workers. “It is hard earned, richly deserved and fair to all involved.”

Larry Gabriel