Dave Tocco, President of the United Steelworkers Local 2958 in Kokomo, Ind., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new 5-year deal for members working at Haynes International. Tocco also talked about the support from the community and the impact their threat to strike had on negotiations.
A new 5-year contract for Local 2958 members was approved on a third attempt. When asked about the need for three tentative contracts before getting one approved by the members, Tocco said management didn’t listen to the demands each time. The first tentative contract had no bonus’ included, and that was overwhelmingly rejected. The second contract added bonus money but lacked a pay increase in years three through five and it was again rejected. The third attempt got it right, Tocco said, as they have a bonus on all five years of the contract and an agreed-upon pay raise each year.
The total process to complete the contract negotiations, including the re-negotiations, lasted about three weeks. Management was happy to negotiate with the Local, but after the second contract was rejected, they took a week off. It was at that point that Local 2958 proposed a strike readiness vote. Before they could hold the vote, management returned to negotiations and gave the union members their desired improvements to the third contract offer. Tocco believes the threat of the strike brought management back to the table and got to finish the process.
Local 2958 held several local rallies in Kokomo, and the community members rallied around the workers. Several local unions and the Steelworkers International office came in to show their support. Tocco talked about the reliability of the International, always there when he or a member of his negotiating team had a question. This support from both community and the International Office helped the negotiations for the union, showing management the importance of the workers at the facility.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.