M.E.B.A. Interlake Members Ratify New Contract
Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) July 31, 2013 -- Yesterday, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) members sailing in the Interlake Steamship fleet ratified a new 12-year contract recently hammered out with the company. The successor agreement to the original 10-year deal captures considerable wage hikes and locks up gains for Vacation, Medical, Training and the Joint Employment Committee among other areas. It also ensures the security of a defined benefit pension plan for the M.E.B.A. membership. The pact covers 10 bulker vessels employing M.E.B.A. mates, engineers and stewards who are considered officers on the Great Lakes.
While contract talks are a give and take process, the results of the challenging negotiations netted the Union a solid contract that will ensure the viability and prosperity of the M.E.B.A. members sailing in the Interlake fleet for years to come.
For the ratification vote, mail ballots were sent to each of the M.E.B.A. members sailing in the fleet and hand delivered to the members aboard the vessels. Ballots were tabulated at the Cleveland Union hall with a rank and file presence overseeing the count. The new successor agreement will take effect on August 1, 2013.
M.E.B.A. would like to thank everyone who voted for taking the time to be a part of this important democratic process. The Union also thanks the four Interlake sailing members who helped supplement M.E.B.A.’s negotiating team. The rank and file members involved were Jon Hines, Kelsey MacDonald, Rob Thomas and Erik Wlazlo. M.E.B.A. also appreciates the input from the Interlake fleet at large during contract negotiations. The cooperation and feedback from the membership helped enable the M.E.B.A. and Interlake to continue its mutually positive relationship for another 12 years.
About the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association
The M.E.B.A., America’s oldest maritime labor union, supplies U.S. Coast Guard-licensed deck and engineering officers in both the U.S. domestic and international trades. The Union was established in 1875. Its members serve aboard containerships, tankers, tugs and barges, research vessels and ferries. In wartime, M.E.B.A. members have sailed in virtually unarmed merchant ships delivering critical defense cargo despite attacks from enemy aircraft, submarines and warships. In times of peace, our members still face dangers such as piracy on the high seas in order to serve their country.
Audra Kincaid, Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, http://www.mebaunion.org, 202-638-5355, [email protected]
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