O-I Bargaining Basics

The USW represents over 3,600 O-I workers around the country. We are covered by two contracts: a Master Agreement that covers our wages, healthcare, retirement and other economic and non-economic benefits, and a Local agreement that covers issues specific to each plant.

Collective bargaining is the legal process for reaching a contract (also known as a collective bargaining agreement or CBA) between a labor union and an employer. The contract covers the terms and conditions of employment, including wages, hours of work, paid time off, benefits, safety, job security and protections against unfair treatment or discharge.

Both our union and our employer have an obligation to bargain in good faith by providing needed information, moving proposals and ideas forward and protecting workers from intimidation.

While we may have different ideas on issues like economic improvements and job security, we all want our company to be successful. The goal in bargaining is to reach an agreement that will be acceptable and beneficial to both the employer and union members.

Bargaining a contract is the best way to ensure we have a strong and united voice at work. Our contract clearly states the terms and conditions of employment. A contract means that management cannot simply decide, on its own, to make changes such as cutting wages and benefits, firing employees or changing schedules and holidays.

Our contract guarantees we have certain protections on the job and empowers us to use our union strength to address issues at work. If management violates the contract, we have a process in place to protect members called the grievance and arbitration procedure.

Bargaining helps balance the power between us and the company, but doesn’t guarantee the results we want. It is our members who demand a fair contract.

The company doesn’t just give us anything – they never have and never will. To be successful, we need to build our bargaining power.

Bargaining power is our ability to achieve our goals in the face of opposition from the employer. It comes from our solidarity – our determination and willingness to stick together.

Displaying our solidarity among all of our local unions increases our ability to address our issues and is a decisive factor in shaping the final agreement. Sharing information and taking part in solidarity activities shows management that we are united and willing to fight for a fair contract.