New contract averts potential Physical Plant worker strike

The University halted a potential strike in June when it reached a labor agreement with the University's operating engineers, who do most of the repair and maintenance of campus buildings and some off campus. The new contract, which expires May 31, 2000, increases the wages of the 220 University workers of Local 835 of the International Union of Operating Engineers by 3 percent. The agreement also continues a policy that requires the University to compensate laid-off workers for the duration of their contract. That stipulation, and a medical benefits plan, had been the two sticking points in negotiations between the two sides. "We are glad the situation is resolved," Physical Plant Executive Director Jim Wargo said after the dispute was resolved. "We didn't want a strike, and we are glad everything worked out the way it did." A strike seemed inevitable as talks stalled during June. The negotiations were scheduled to end June 1, but the deadline was extended one week so that the engineers could help with the June 8 U2 concert. According to some engineers, U2 band members had refused to cross picket lines if the workers went on strike before the show. In addition to the layoff policy -- which the University sought to eliminate -- the two sides disagreed on a medical benefits plan. The University's proposed contract would have put a freeze on medical benefits for the workers. Under that proposal, the University, which covers most of the engineers' medical expenses, would not have paid for additional health costs. "For the past years they have taken back things from us. There is nothing in our envelopes," said one engineer in early June. "We will strike." With the engineers threatening to walk, the University ultimately agreed not to freeze the workers' medical benefits. As a demonstration of unity when the two sides could not come to agreement, the workers -- who are classified as skilled tradesmen, groundskeepers, mail carriers, parking attendants and telephone operators -- held a rally during their lunch hour June 5. But negotiations continued unsuccessfully for another week as both sides held steadfast to their initial proposals. When no progress had been made, a state mediator was called in to assist the University and engineers in drawing up a contract. With his aid, the parties reached the agreement June 13.