Local Union No. 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Resolves Dispute with WESCO, Members Unanimously Ratify New Agreement and Return to Work
Local Union No. 3 is proud to report that the strike at WESCO is over. On Monday, June 26, the seventh day on strike, the company returned to the bargaining table. The Union and committee were able to negotiate and settle with the company on a fair agreement. With the recommendation of the Union and committee, the members unanimously ratified a new three-year agreement with wage increases in each year, appropriate increases in the ESF pension and medical contributions, and no givebacks or concessions.
The strikers who courageously made the choice to stand up to their employer when they felt they were being mistreated and disrespected are excited to return to work immediately.
This dispute would not have been successful and settled in a positive way if the workers did not come together and show that by withholding their labor, the company couldn’t function at a level even close to their normal operations. They were united and dedicated to hold the line.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our members at Wesco who stuck together and demanded a fair contract and respect in the workplace. This outcome should be celebrated and a reminder to all employers who think workers can be underestimated, mistreated, and undervalued,” says Local 3, IBEW Business Manager Christopher Erikson. “With a fair agreement in place, we look forward to a renewed relationship with Wesco moving forward.”
Additionally, this was a successful outcome because of the support for this strike from far and wide, providing the encouragement and backing necessary to keep the effort strong. Members of Local Union No. 3 from Construction and other divisions, both active and retirees, joined the picket lines and made phone calls to management expressing their support for the strikers and displeasure for the company’s actions. Our sisters and brothers of IBEW Local 25, Local 1049, and Local 1922 on Long Island supported this effort from Day One, as well as other signatory supply houses and dozens of contractors throughout the NYC and Long Island jurisdictions. The wider labor movement joined our effort, including support from the NYC Central Labor Council, the LI Federation of Labor, and the NYS AFL-CIO and their respective affiliates, along with community allies like the LI Progressive Coalition and others.
Congratulations to the members who stood strong and demanded a fair outcome through collective bargaining and direct labor action.
