TEAMSTERS LOCAL 421 MEMBERS WIN ARBITRATION AGAINST SWISS VALLEY DAIRY
Labor Desk
March 30, 2006
Members of Local 421 in Dubuque, Iowa recently won an arbitration victory against Swiss Valley Farms Dairy, totaling $700,000. The settlement benefits 175 dairy workers.
In late 2005, an arbitrator ordered Swiss Valley to pay the Teamster members approximately $240,000 plus overtime for the contract year beginning in September 2004. The company was also ordered to pay workers $480,000 plus overtime for the contract year beginning in September 2005. In addition, Swiss Valley has to calculate hourly increases in the workers? pay for 2006, which may bring the total award closer to $1.2 million.
The arbitrator further ruled that Swiss Valley had to pay the workers the difference in projected health and welfare rates on an ongoing, hourly basis, rather than as a one-time, lump-sum payment.
The local's leadership went the extra mile to make sure this was resolved,? said Greg Valentine, a steward and 23-year Teamster. ?And it comes in very handy with high utility bills and having a family.?
In late 2005, an arbitrator ordered Swiss Valley to pay the Teamster members approximately $240,000 plus overtime for the contract year beginning in September 2004. The company was also ordered to pay workers $480,000 plus overtime for the contract year beginning in September 2005. In addition, Swiss Valley has to calculate hourly increases in the workers? pay for 2006, which may bring the total award closer to $1.2 million.
The arbitrator further ruled that Swiss Valley had to pay the workers the difference in projected health and welfare rates on an ongoing, hourly basis, rather than as a one-time, lump-sum payment.
The local's leadership went the extra mile to make sure this was resolved,? said Greg Valentine, a steward and 23-year Teamster. ?And it comes in very handy with high utility bills and having a family.?
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