Local 34's History and Accomplishments

OUR HISTORY: A GLIMPSE AT THE PAST

We are so proud of everything that we have accomplished in our union, but it certainly did not happen overnight. Our historic pension packages, the job security and mobility we now enjoy, and the closing of the gendered wage gap – all of this represents the consequence of hard won fights by Local 34 members and their allies of the past two decades.

Recognition and Our First Contract
It’s been many years since Local 34 was certified.  That pivotal event took place on May 18, 1983, when we won an exciting union election. Nothing comes easy at Yale, and we won our election and our first contract after years of organizing and the unwavering support of our brothers and sisters in Local 35. In 1985, we signed our first contract, which enabled us to do things that we now take for granted – grieve unfair disciplinary actions, create a rational salary structure, and have clear paths for advancement.

Over the years, we have worked hard to build on these fundamental rights and union benefits.   In 1988, we overhauled our arcane C&T job description and classification system, which at one time had twelve different levels and compressed most people in grades four through seven. Now we have a five-step system, and 83% of our C&Ts are in Grade C or higher! Our 1992 contract is known as the “Job Security Contract.”  In order to protect workers that have suffered layoff, we created a powerful safety net, which included the Interim Employment Pool (the IEP, or “the pool”).  Laid off workers now have salary and benefit protection for a substantial period of time, during which they can retrain and look for another Yale job.  We also won the creation of the joint union-management Job Search Team, which assists workers in finding jobs or moving up the ladder.   In the 1996 contract, C&Ts achieved a matching retirement plan, under which Yale matches employee contributions.  For employees who participate in this voluntary “403(b)” plan, it is a significant supplement to Yale’s traditionally defined pension plan. Our most recent contract, settled in September of 2003, could be called the “Pension and Best Practices Contract.”  Major improvements in Yale’s traditional pension means that future retirees will leave with dignity and a much higher standard of living.

Behold what we have accomplished!  Through our determination, creativity, and solidarity, and with the support of our friends and allies, we have changed our work lives dramatically.

 
Our History, Our Future

Can we predict continued success?  We can, and the horizon seems brighter than ever.  Our current contract encourages, even institutionalizes, ways that we can move away from the history of labor problems mentioned above.  By nurturing the concept of best practices, we do more than work together and solve problems in a mutually beneficial way.  Over time, we build trust.  Everyone wins, and Yale is better for it.  Now that’s something to brag about.

Overview of Local 34's History and Accomplishments
Because of our efforts, Yale’s clerical and technical employees enjoy:
• Decent salaries and guaranteed raises,
• Excellent healthcare benefits (a choice of three plans, one of which is free) for yourself and your family,
• A free dental plan with no deductible,
• Excellent workplace health and safety protections,
• Some of the best job security benefits in the country, including 90 days’ notice of layoff, preference for other open clerical and technical positions, and up to one year of full salary and benefits while looking for other jobs at Yale,
• Good pensions and fully paid retiree medical benefits for yourself and your spouse.

While we have accomplished so much, we still have more work to do. We hope that you will join us as we continue to fight for fairness and decency for our membership and our families.