Osco Drug
Osco pharmacists gain new contract, avoid strike - News - Osco Drug Div - Brief Article CHICAGO -- Teamster-represented pharmacists at Osco Drug stores, a division of Albertson's, late last month avoided a strike and approved a new three-year contract.
The contract was approved by a 283-58 vote.
"These were not easy negotiations. But in the end, we left the negotiating table with a labor contract that benefits the workers, the company and the community," stated Robert Hogan, secretary-treasurer of Local 714, which represents 630 pharmacists at 185 Osco Drug stores in Cook, Lake, Dupage and McHenry counties.
Highlights of the new agreement include:
* Wage increases in each year of the contract (a $2 wage increase in 2003, $1.85 increase in 2004 and $1.50 increase in 2005)
* Maintenance of full, teamster-provided health coverage
* Language that allows for the match of wage increases by major competitors and
* A 25 percent increase in premium pay for overnight pharmacists to $2.50.
Teamster pharmacists first rejected the company's offer in early June by a margin of 10-1. On June 22, pharmacists overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if an agreement could not be reached. A final meeting was held-July 16, in which the terms of the new agreement were reached.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group
|
