Dow Elk Grove Unit Makes Gains in Contract

With just 10 members, the Local 7-507 unit staffing Dow’s Elk Grove, Ill., plant may be small, but the contract they ratified last January includes big gains.

The members negotiated a five-year contract that has a 13.5 percent wage increase over the term of the agreement. All workers will receive a shift differential, which increased 10 cents, as well as a $1,500 sign-on bonus with the company paying the taxes. 

For the first time, the four workers who are emergency responders for the plant will receive extra pay for performing this service. The local also now participates in Dow’s Total Rewards program.

“We cleaned up our contract language and that helped a lot,” said unit president and chief steward Larry Lugo. “We are all very happy with the contract.”

Eight of the workers are operators and two are mechanics. 

USW members in Elk Grove produce laminating adhesives for food industry packaging and other sectors, including the seals for Coffee Mate packets and 32-ounce containers of yogurt, as well as the material used to attach of ear bands on face masks.