Anheuser-Busch contract ratification vote was held in early March, and across the 12 Breweries. The contract was ratified by an 87% ratification, but locally, 0 percent of the lab voted for the national agreement and only 61% on the LA production workers approved the agreement. In Fairfield, the numbers were a little better at around 75% but all of California believed they deserved and needed more, and though the Local BA's Brian Indelicato and me, tried to get a COLA for California, but with all the constellations of negotiation dates, much of what needed to be accomplished fell through the cracks due to having very little time left to finish before the imposed contract deadline. All we had time to do was the last and final offer. The final offer was $4.00, $1.00, $1.00, $1.00 $1.00 or $8.00 over 5 years. Pension $.20 cents each year of the contract.
We ratified the Reyes Coca-Cola San Leandro contract in March, the members were thrilled with the best contract they have ever received. President Brian Indelicato was instrumental in this new CBA with $9.50 over five years and pension contributions worth $2.29 over the life of the agreement.
We also ratified a New Reyes Coca-Cola agreement here in So Cal. With over 800 Local 896 Coca-Cola represented in this negotiation and another 700 members divided between Local 896 and 952, we were also looking for an agreement similar to Nor Cal. Saying this I believe Business Agent Shaun Rodriguez and myself delivered the best So Cal Coke contract our members have ever seen and one that actually exceeded may of their expectations. The 3-year agreement actually puts them close the highest wages in the industry here in California and in year 3, they will be the highest paid California Coca-Cola paid employees on the West Coast. With wages of $3.37 in year one, $2.00 in year two and $2.12 in year three, a total of $7.49 cents over the life of the three year deal, add $50. Cents in pension each year and a 1/52 vacation formula, this contract was ratified by 93% of those in attendance. Also, for the first time in my memory, the offer was sent to the members on the Friday prior to the Sunday ratification meeting.
In April, we will begin negotiations for the Coca-Cola technicians that voted last year to be represented by Local 896. This will be a first contract and we are looking to get them improvements in wages, H&W and even a real pension if possible. We are looking forward to getting these important talks started.
Our Budweiser Merchandisers are also having their negotiations coming up soon and Brian Indelicato will be chairing those negotiations.
Pepsi Riverside negotiations will finish out the year, and the workers of this very important production facility are in line for a record-setting wage package!
On a final note, the per-capita that the Local pays the JC42 has just doubled. So when many of you complain that your dues went up with the new wages, (something we have no control over because the IBT sets the dues rates) our dues the local pays to the JC went up too.
