Caterpillar Strike Didn't Stall Production at Hydraulics Plant

摘要

Nearly 800 machinists at a Caterpillar plant in Illinois narrowly reached a deal to extend their labor agreement after a three-and-a-half month strike that weighed heavily on the workers, many of whom crossed the picket line to continue receiving their paychecks. The six-year contract, which comes with a $3,100 signing bonus, places a freeze on cost-of-living increases and pensions while migrating workers to a 401 (k)-style retirement plan with a 6% corporate match. The deal also forces workers to pay a portion of their health-care premiums, starting at 10% this year and sliding up to 20% in 2018.