Teamsters Ratify New Pipeline Construction Agreement

New Three-Year Contract Increases Wages, Benefits For 4,000 Teamsters

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jul 16, 2014, 10:47 ET

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An overwhelming majority of Teamster local unions that represent pipeline construction workers in the United States voted in favor of a new three-year contract, the Teamsters Union announced today. The contract covers about 4,000 Teamsters.

"Our pipeline workers will benefit from the improved wages, benefits and other provisions of the contract, which will help ensure that jobs in this part of the nation's construction industry continue to be some of the most stable," said Marion Davis, Director of the Teamsters Building Material and Construction Trade Division.

Teamsters represent employees who operate grapple trucks, tri-axle skid trucks, stringer trucks, floats, dump trucks, water trucks and various straight frame vehicles.

Among the contract improvements:

Wages will increase using the following formula: In the first year there will be a 3 percent increase in the package; in the second year there will be an increase of $1.50 per hour; and in the third year there will be an increase of $1.75 per hour;
Greatly improved definition of a "traveler" employee for the purposes of health, welfare and pension benefits; and
The addition of two new classifications: Grapple Truck (to be paid at the group 1 rate plus a $2.25 premium) and Pilot Car (to be paid at the group 3 rate).

Throughout the negotiation process, the Teamsters National Pipeline Agreement Negotiating Committee consistently met with the three other pipeline crafts and negotiated jointly on all major issues.

Other crafts included in the contract are members of the Operating Engineers union with 8,000 members, the Laborers' Union with 9,000 members and the Pipefitters union with 8,000 members.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Teamsters.

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters