December 5, 2007: Local 174 members at Waste Management and Allied Waste are getting a pension boost of $1.18 per hour in 2008 thanks to strong language negotiated in their last agreement.

Under the Local 174 wastehaul agreements, members won major annual increases in healthcare contributions for their medical dental and vision benefits—starting with a 12 percent in year one of the contract and going up each year.

At the end of each year, if healthcare costs go up less then the maximum negotiated, the union holds a vote and members decide how to divide the surplus between wage and pension increases.

This year, healthcare costs went up very little. As a result, Local 174 members voted themselves a 78 ¢ pension increase effective Jan. 1, 2008. That comes on top of a contractually bargained 35 ¢ pension increase effective next June 1.

Starting next June, Waste Management and Allied Waste will contribute $6.26 per hour into Local 174 members’ pensions.