State of Michigan workers ratify new contract

Members of UAW Local 6000 voted nearly 3 to 1 in favor of a new three-year contract with the state of Michigan.

Workers, who ratified the agreement Nov. 30, will receive a 2 percent wage increase in April 2008, a carryover from the previous contract. The new contract provides a percent base wage increase; 1 percent in October 2009 and 3 percent in October 2010.

The contract also gives members new health and safety guidelines and maintains health care.

“Our bargaining team negotiated a good contract for our members,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. “Good contracts and good jobs are a part of what keeps any economy strong, whether it’s the state of Michigan or the entire United States.”

“It is no secret that this is a challenging time for the state of Michigan,” said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, who directs servicing for the union's Technical, Office and Professional (TOP) Department. “Our bargaining committee negotiated long and hard to maintain excellent benefits and preserve existing contract language. That was the priority.”

“As a taxpayer and state employee, I think this is a good contract for our members, especially in light of the state's ongoing economic problems,” said Local 6000 member Jan Brown. “It is not the best contract we have had, but it is the best for these troubled economic times.”

The local represents 17,000 state employees in human services and administrative support, including workers in every department of state government and in every county of the state.