Over 700 members of ICWUC/UFCW Local 261C who work at Northrop Grumman’s Rocket Center, W. Va., facility recently ratified a new contract. These workers manufacture munitions for the U.S. Navy.
ICWUC/UFCW Local 261C fought hard as a united group to gain the largest wage increases in the history of bargaining at Rocket Center. The four-year contract includes across-the-board wage increases for each year of the agreement (year one 5.22 percent; year two 3 percent; year three 2.9 percent; and a year four 2.84 percent), as well as a one-time ratification bonus of $4,000 per active employee. Adjustments were made to several classifications to bring some first-year wage increases up to 11 percent for over 30 percent of the membership. The starting wage scale progression was increased at ratification and will be increased during the second and third years of the contract.
In addition to other improvements, bereavement leave for immediate family members was increased with additional family members covered.
“ICWUC Vice President and Regional Director Gerry Setley and the committee did a great job navigating the negotiations through some extraordinary circumstances,” said ICWUC / UFCW President Lance Heasley.