BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Striking employees at a division of Air Products went back to work Thursday after brokering an agreement that secured raises and improved health care benefits, a union official said Friday.
Dennis Hower, president of Teamsters Local 773, said the 184-member unit at Gardner Cryogenics approved a new contract Wednesday morning with 83% of members in support. Under the deal, union workers will see a 10% raise in the contract's first year followed by 4% raises in the contracts second and third years. The initial raise will be higher for some employees due to how some positions will be categorized, he said.
In addition, the business will be lowering the percentage employees must contribute toward their health care coverage, and employees will receive a stipend to offset their medical costs, Hower said. Employees will also receive more sick days and better paternity leave.
"It was a tremendous win, and it was all because the members stuck together."Dennis Hower
"It was a tremendous win, and it was all because the members stuck together," he said.
The union, which represents employees in Gardner's production, maintenance and shipping departments, has been on the picket line since June 10. Negotiations broke down during the first week of the strike, but both sides agreed this week to meet with a federal negotiator to help bring the matter to a resolution, Hower said.
Gardner Cryogenics makes specialized tankers used to transport liquid helium and liquid hydrogen. The company claims on its website that it is the world's leading supplier of large liquid helium storage vessels. It's a division of Air Products, a Fortune 500 company and one of the region's largest employers.
Air Products spokesman Art George confirmed the agreement in an email Friday evening, noting the company engaged in good faith bargaining with the union.
"Gardner looks forward to continuing its 40-year commitment to delivering superior helium and hydrogen containers to our customers," he said in a prepared statement.
