Local 169G Members Notch Big Contract Wins

Local 169G members made significant gains in a five-year contract they ratified this month with MLC, which operates a limestone mine and production facility in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. 

Members negotiated 25 percent wage increases over the life of the agreement, along with increases in shift differentials and improvements to their health savings accounts and 401(k) plans, said John “Tiny” Powell, Local 169G vice president. 

The contract also added a floating holiday, upgraded sick-time benefits and held the line on health insurance. In addition, it compressed the vacation schedule to give workers more paid time off after fewer years of service, said Powell, who credited the gains to the workers’ solidarity and a negotiating team that also included representatives of Laborers’ Local 829. 

The USW and Laborers each represent about 250 workers at the mine and production facility, which supplies various products for glass, steel and numerous other industries.  

Members went into negotiations seeking a three-year deal and then successfully leveraged the company’s interest in a longer contract. 

“If you want a five-year contract, you’re going to have to pay for it,” Powell recalled negotiators telling the company.