PITTSBURGH - By a vote of 249 to 109, the United Steelworkers (USW) ratified a three-year labor agreement with Ball Metal Beverage Container Operations on Friday.
The operations cover 550 employees at three locations: Bristol, Va., Kansas City, Mo., and Kent, Wash.
The agreement includes annual wage increases of 3 percent in the first year, 2 percent the second and 2.75 percent the third year, in addition to increment increases between job grades.
A three step increase of $5 in the pension multiplier that could increase the pension rate to as much as $58 per each year worked was also included in the agreement. The agreement would also roll the 22 cent COLA into the hourly wage rate; increase sickness and accident pay and life insurance; improve vacation allowances, dental and vision plans; provide two work shoe allowances of $100 each and a $200 total allowance for maintenance employees.
The agreement is effective from May 15, 2007 through May 15, 2010.