Strong New Contract at Coca-Cola

Local 513 members at Coca-Cola’s bottling plant in Lowell, Massachusetts, ratified a new contract with a unanimous vote. The contract calls for wage increases of 2.75 percent each year of the three-year contract, which amounts to increases of 68 cents to 88 cents per year.

 Members will also receive an additional 25 cents raise for CDL delivery drivers in the first year, an improved health insurance plan, an increase in the pension and an early retirement incentive for members who have reached age 60 and have at least 30 years with the company. In addition, new hires will now receive vacation time after six months of employment.

New England Joint Board President Tina Buonaugurio led the negotiating team of Gary Miner, Mike Savard and Stephen Cenik. Along with winning improvements, the negotiating committee successfully defended the contract from attempts by the company to reduce the amount of employees allowed on vacation at a time and eliminate double-time days.