IUE-CWA Pact at Behr Dayton Thermal Saves 900 Jobs

In tough bargaining with Behr Dayton Thermal Products in Dayton, Ohio, members of IUE-CWA ratified a four-year contract that saves 900 jobs at the formerly Chrysler-owned auto parts supplier. The agreement was ratified 538 to 261.

The agreement prevented the plant from shutting down. "This was a very difficult set of negotiations," said IUE-CWA President Jim Clark. "I am proud of Local 84775 President Roy Turner and his entire team for stepping up and getting the best deal possible for their membership while preserving their jobs for the future," he said.

Behr was determined to close the plant and move work elsewhere if it couldn't change its cost structure and stop continuing financial losses, according to IUE-CWA. Members stood strong during negotiations and overwhelmingly rejected the company's proposed "last, best and final" offer.

When bargaining resumed, the union brought in an independent auditor who confirmed that the company's financial losses were real. To stem its losses, Behr sought to slash workers' health benefits by $12 million, but the union succeeded in reducing the size of the health cuts. IUE-CWA hired a health insurance expert to assist in developing a new health plan that would deliver the needed savings needed but give workers choices for their individual needs.

The contract provides a $1,250 signing bonus, contains small wage hikes for the lowest tier workers making up most of the workforce, and includes some pay reductions for senior-level employees who were eligible to receive their pensions or company buyouts.