Members at GPO Win Breakthrough Contract; 5-Year Agreement Yields 18 Percent Wage Hike

Sector members employed at the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. have overwhelmingly ratified the terms of their new five-year agreement. Local 101-12 President Bob Stevenson called the completed pact “the finest contract we have in the Sector.” It provides pay raises of 18 percent over the life of the contract, with 18 months of retroactivity as well as a signing bonus of $500.

The unit maintained a 40-hour week and secured a 10 percent differential for night shifts.

By the end of the agreement, Stevenson said, night side personnel in the top scale will earn a base wage of $82,000, plus overtime.

Hospitalization, health care and pensions remain the same. There are no changes in holiday or vacation provisions.

Stevenson credited Sector President Bill Boarman and Al Rudy, Assistant to the President, for their work in securing the final agreement. The local negotiating team was headed by Stevenson along with Tim Terrell (chair), Mike Bennett, Mike Cullen and Bill Ryan.

Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA), who chairs the Congressional Joint Committee on Printing, was also helpful in breaking deadlocks in negotiations over the course of the 16 months it took to conclude the negotiations.

Stevenson said the change in control of Congress in 2006 has made a significant difference in the way that worker concerns at GPO are addressed on Capitol Hill.