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New Baltimore Contract: Best in 20 Years

By overwhelming majorities, Baltimore carpenters and millwrights in MARCC-affiliated locals have ratified a new three year contract yielding the best increases in a generation. The carpenters, members of Baltimore’s Local 101 and Hagerstown’s Local 340, voted 4 to 1 for the new pact, and the millwrights, members of Local 1548, okayed it by 3 to 1.

All told, 271 members voted, which was the best contract ratification turnout in years.

“We were inspired to turn out by the fact that this is the first time our contracts have been negotiated by a full team representing us all,” said James “Bear” Townsley, a Local 101 member.

Wages and benefits: highest

Custom millwork shops

10.36% hike in wages and benefits

It took almost three months. At times, the bargaining got tough. But it was worth it. Some 125 Local 491 members working for four Baltimore area custom millwork shops won significant gains in their new three-year contract.

“Your skilled hands create the shop owners’ wealth,” MARCC CEO/Executive Secretary-Treasurer Bill Halbert told the members. “You deserve a fair and equitable raise.

“And now you’ve won a fair contract … one that’s fair to our members, and fair to the shop owner too.”