Piedmont Agents Ratify First Contract

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Fleet and passenger service agents at Piedmont Airlines, who voted to join CWA in November 2010, overwhelmingly ratified their first contract by a 94 percent vote, the union announced July 5. The four and one half year contract covers 3,700 agents – including 250 at National Airport -- at 79 stations and provides raises and bonuses of up to 38 percent over the life of the contract. The pact was the result of “Long and tough negotiations, with the involvement of the National Mediation Board,” CWA said, producing a first agreement “that includes real improvements in pay, job security and health care benefits, as well an effective grievance and arbitration process.” Key provisions include a one-time signing bonus of 6-8 percent of salary in 2012; a new pay system with guaranteed 4 percent raises and additional increases; a first-ever grievance and arbitration process; longevity bonuses each year for good attendance; equity for part-time workers for holiday pay; job security improvements. “Piedmont workers stood together and mobilized for more than a year to win economic justice, and they did,” said CWA District 2’s Jimmy Tarlau, a Metro Washington Council Executive Board member. “This agreement provides real improvements in pay and working conditions that will benefit agents and their families. They were determined to prevail, and they did.” - Union Communication Services; photo of Piedmont Airlines workers courtesy of CWA