Members of IAM Local 330, District 65 voted overwhelmingly to ratify an effects agreement with Ingersoll Rand on Sunday. The election comes after the January 22 announcement from the company of their intent to cease manufacturing at the Cheektowaga plant by July of this year. The agreement covers how the nearly 160 workers will be compensated during and after the shutdown.

“It’s a shame that these dedicated, highly skilled workers were faced with the important decision they had to make today,” said District 65 Assistant Directing Business Representative Peter Cooney. “The Negotiating Committee, with tremendous support from the membership was able to secure a package that these working families deserve.”

Highlights of the deal include a 65 cent per hour increase, a 10 percent training bonus for all hours spent training, as well as earning up to 40 hours pay per year of service with no cap on years. Members will also keep medical insurance for up to three months after the month in which they are separated from the company.

“I’m extremely proud of what the negotiating committee and the solidarity of the membership were able to accomplish,” said Eastern Territory General Vice President Jimmy Conigliaro Sr. “My thanks go out to ADBR Cooney for guiding the committee and the membership, providing the best possible outcome under the difficult circumstances they faced. It’s extremely unfortunate a great workforce like this one has been dealt a plant closure when they worked so hard to make Ingersoll-Rand, and their predecessors in Western New York successful since 1957.” 

The current collective bargaining agreement set to expire in August is extended to through November 3, 2019.

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