August 29, 2018

Over 90% of workgroup turns out at ratification meeting to vote in favor of new contract

Teamsters Local 174 members at Matson, Alaska Inc., who handle shipped containers and drayage for the Port of Tacoma and Seattle, turned out in force this past weekend to ratify a strong new 5-year agreement. 41 out of the 45 workers in the group attended a meeting at the Local 174 Union Hall to vote almost unanimously in favor of the contract.

The newly-ratified agreement builds on and improves the already mature contract the group had been working under. The economic package includes large wage increases, meaningful pension increases, and full maintenance of benefits on healthcare for the full five years of the contract. There were also language improvements, such as enhanced seniority rights, improvements to sick leave and vacation language, and the expansion of the 40-hour weekly guarantee to include everyone on the seniority list.

“It was through the strength and solidarity of our members at Matson – led by their bargaining committee members Mary Stuart-Fairburn and John Fosnick – that we were able to achieve such a strong contract,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “They demonstrated their solidarity this weekend with over 90% turnout at a ratification meeting. That kind of dedication is always rewarded, and in this case it meant a great contract that values their hard work.”

Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 7,200 working men and women in the Seattle area. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.