PALMER TWP., Pa. — Workers at the BMW regional distribution center in the Easton area are hailing a tentative contract agreement they say includes record wage increases and benefits improvements.
About 120 workers belong to the United Auto Workers union and approved a strike authorization vote this month.
Though they never walked off the job, they held several rallies along Prologis Parkway to raise support for a new contract.
The tentative, five-year agreement raises wages 11% in the first year and more than 33% over the life of the contract, according to the union.
The current two-tier wage system will be eliminated and all UAW members will be on the same scale of $28.92 per hour by the end of the contract, the union says.
“They stood together and showed BMW that they were willing to do what needed to be done to win what they know they deserve."Daniel Vicente, director of United Auto Workers Region 9
Informational meetings and a union vote on the agreement will be scheduled in the coming days, leaders said. The current contract ends Sunday, June 30.
A company representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these workers for demanding better working conditions and a better life for themselves,” UAW Region 9 Director Daniel Vicente said in a statement issued Saturday night.
“They stood together and showed BMW that they were willing to do what needed to be done to win what they know they deserve. They’re a testament to the power of solidarity.”
The distribution center handles auto and motorcycle parts for BMW.
Besides pay increases, union leaders say the tentative agreement introduces improvements to company policies on time off, uniforms, overtime exemptions and attendance.
“We knew that if we stuck together and refused to be divided, we could win,” Zach Haas, chief steward and bargaining unit chair, said in a news release.
“This agreement is going to mean a better life for me and my coworkers.”
Under the tentative deal, wages will increase according to this schedule:
- Year 1: 11%
- Year 2: 4.5%
- Year 3: 4.6%
- Year 4: 4.62%
- Year 5: 4.62%
