IUEC Ratifies New Collective Bargaining Agreement
In early April, hundreds of delegates representing the more than 31,000 members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) gathered to review, debate, and ultimately vote on a new collective bargaining agreement between IUEC and employers throughout USA represented by two organizations – National Elevator Bargaining Association (NEBA) and The Elevator Contractors of America (ECA). Traveling to the nation’s capital from across the country, the majority of delegates believed the new contract’s terms and conditions justly established IUEC members’ terms of employment and, thus, supported the new contract.
Once the contract had been successfully ratified, IUEC General President Frank Christensen released a statement reflecting on the ratification. In his statement, GP Christensen touts contract provisions such as increased wages, robust healthcare and retirement benefits, and the establishment of a first-ever labor-management safety committee. The union leader recognizes the value of strong partnerships between labor and management, and also stresses the importance of working with contractor partners to address pertinent safety issues.
Read the full statement below:
“Delegates from coast to coast came together and got the job done. With increased wages and a strong benefits package, the new contract is a victory for our union, our members, and our members’ families – supporting it was a no-brainer. What’s more, the contract increases funding to advance industry safety initiatives, as well as grow market share.
“Two things matter most to me – ensuring my brothers and sisters are taken care of from a pay and benefits standpoint and keeping them safe on the job. While lucrative and fulfilling, a career in the elevator trade is an innately dangerous job. From falls to electrical hazards, so much can, and unfortunately does, sometimes go wrong. That’s why, as part of the new agreement, there was a renewed commitment to continuing education and safety, including the formation of a first-ever labor-management safety committee.
“The organized elevator industry recognizes the importance of collaborating with contractor partners to effectively identify and address both general construction and industry-specific safety issues. The reality is this: For the elevator industry to be a safer one, a strong partnership must exist between labor and management. Together, we can and will do everything in our power to see that, at the end of the day, all workers go home safely.”