Workers at Mound Department of Public Works ratify new contract

President of Teamsters Local 320, Erik Skoog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the unanimously ratified contract between the city of Mound, Minn. and its Public Works members. Skoog also discussed his journey to becoming president of Local 320.

Skoog followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Teamsters Freight team out of high school. Skoog began on the freight dock before joining the USS Holland Freight team, where he worked with Teamsters Local 120 before leaving for the public sector and Local 320. He became the Special Projects Director, now known as a Business Agent, in 2012. Skoog was elected president of Local 320 and now works to provide the best opportunities for over 11,000 members in Minneapolis, and the surrounding communities.

There have been many battles for proper contracts with communities in the region, and Skoog’s talked about the recently ratified contract with the Department of Public Works in Mound, Minn. Skoog talked about the debates with members about what a fair contract would look like, and how those debates helped build a higher level of solidarity. He also discussed how the perfect storm occurred with the former city administrator was retiring and they began negotiations with the new city administrator. While the deal wasn’t perfect, members decided it was a fair proposal and unanimously agreed to ratify the contract.

The new contract will give members base wage increases from $5 to nearly $8 per hour over the next 36 months. The agreement also includes more base wage increases over the contract's life, with maintenance workers' base wages increasing by 19 percent and lead workers' wages increasing by 22 percent. The agreement also includes increases to workers’ boot allowance, life insurance, additional paid holidays and more. Skoog talked about how this contract will set an example for similar contract negotiations in the future.

Listen to the show above to hear more from Skoog on the contract and ongoing negotiations.