Polar Tank Trailer LLC and the International Assns. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union have reached an agreement on a new five-year labor contract, according to the trailer maker.
The agreement was ratified yesterday via a majority vote by IAM members at Polar’s manufacturing facility in Opole, MN. IAM District 165, Local 623, represents approximately 365 employees at Opole.
The new contract, which includes the addition of a third and fourth shift, replaces the three-year agreement that expired on Nov. 30 and ends the strike called by the Local when earlier negotiations broke down. At the time the strike was announced, a spokesperson for IAM’s Midwest office told FleetOwner that the Opale vote was 261 to 25 in favor of the strike.
“The committee worked hard to negotiate an agreement that will benefit our employees and our business,” said Ted Fick, CEO of Polar Corp. “It’s another step forward in our efforts to meet the quality, cost, and delivery expectations of our customers.”
In addition to building tanks for bulk liquid cargoes in Opole, the company has facilities in Holdingford, MN, and Springfield, MO. Last year, employees at Holdingford and Springfield each ratified a five-year labor agreement negotiated by Polar and the IAM.
