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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Workers Shocked as Medical Coverage Cut Amidst Contract Fallout
A labor union filed an unfair labor practice charge against an insulated cable products manufacturer, alleging the company cut off the health care coverage for over 160 employees after the workers rejected a contract offer. Teamsters Local 986 stated that Okonite, headquartered in New Jersey, terminated the health benefits for workers at the company's plant in Santa Maria, California, on May 19, one day before a strike began. Most Read on IEN: Ford Worker Accused of Stealing Millions in Parts The Cybertruck's Staggering Depreciation Shoemaker Looks to Outsmart Tariffs Podcast: Cybertruck's Wild Depreciation; Faraday's 2 Cars; BioLab Won't Rebuild Teamsters spokesperson Christian Castro told IEN that the union believes Okonite's decision to end health benefits was retaliatory. He added that the company has not responded to the Teamsters' public statement or contacted the union regarding the issue. The alleged development took place after the workers voted down a contract offer that outlined wage increases across a five-year period. Castro said the proposal included a 7.25% raise in year one, followed by increases of 6%, 4.25% and two consecutive years of 4%. However, Castro argued that the offer failed to reflect California's cost of living. 'At first glance,' he said, 'the offer might appear reasonable, but it fails to close the gap our members face. Workers at the Santa Maria facility have already fallen 4.7% behind wage growth at other employers in the region since 2019.' Castro added that the new proposal would give the Santa Maria employees the same wage level as workers at Okonite's Richmond, Kentucky plant, where he claims the cost of living is 24% lower than in California. 'Our members are not asking for special treatment,' Castro said. 'They are asking to earn a wage that matches the cost of living where they live and work.' Founded in 1878, Okonite operates six plants in the U.S. Its Santa Maria facility features over 556,000 square feet of space and employs 186 workers. The company has not responded to IEN's request for comment. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Yahoo
Raleigh city officials announce new chief of police
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The City of Raleigh has announced its newest chief of police for the Raleigh Police Department. Rico Boyce, the deputy of administration for Raleigh police, was named the new 31st chief of police Friday afternoon by City of Raleigh Manager Marchell Adams-David. 'We are pleased to announce that our national search process has identified someone who has served Raleigh for more than two decades as our next Chief of Police. Rico Boyce has demonstrated that he knows how to effectively work with the community, and our process demonstrated the trust the community and the police department have in him,' Adams-David said. PREVIOUSLY: Raleigh police chief announces retirement after 3 years on the job As police chief, Boyce will lead the department in more than 900 personnel with 792 sworn officer positions. He takes over leadership of the federal Public Safety Partnership efforts and the Violent Crime Action Plan with federal and law enforcement partners. One of his first goals as chief of police is to enhance relationships, trust and engagement with the community and create a level of transparency to keep Raleigh safe. 'I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to my family for their unwavering support throughout my entire career with the Raleigh Police Department. I am deeply thankful to City Manager Marchell Adams-David for the incredible opportunity to finish my career as the Raleigh chief of police,' Boyce said, 'It is truly an honor, and I am excited to continue serving the greatest officers in the world while building lasting relationships with our amazing community members. I am grateful for Chief Patterson's mentorship and guidance, and I look forward to building upon the remarkable work she has done as chief.' Rick Armstrong, the vice President of Teamsters Local 391 which represents officers, said his members made it clear they wanted Boyce to be the next chief. He still remembers Boyce's early years with the department. 'I was on when he was hired,' Armstrong said. 'I remember distinctly him working as a School Resource Officer in the Southeast District, Southeast High School, I believe. I remember him being very committed and dedicated to the job.' CBS 17 asked Armstrong what he thinks Boyce's biggest challenge will be in his new job, Armstrong said, 'Like [Boyce] said in the interview, recruitment and retention has been the number one challenge for Chief Patterson. I think it's going to continue to be a challenge for Chief Boyce.' When it comes to recruitment and retention, Armstrong hopes implementing recommendations from a city wide salary study that's underway will help. Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell said the city will have that information in March. Cowell also said she's excited to work alongside the new chief. 'In my first few months as mayor, I've gotten to interact a lot with Chief Boyce,' she said. 'He's incredibly positive. I have gotten so many emails from folks saying we love Chief Boyce, we think he'd be amazing.' Boyce began his law enforcement career nearly 25 years ago becoming a part of the Raleigh Police Department's 76th Police Academy. As the previous deputy police chief of administration, Boyce oversaw administrative services and internal affairs, according to the City of Raleigh. Boyce will bring a deep familiarity with Raleigh to his role. After three years as a patrol officer, he served as a school resource officer and later moved to the Gang Suppression Unit. He later earned ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, watch commander and then captain in the Southeast District. Boyce is also a member of several professional and civic organizations such as N.O.B.L.E. (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives), the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and several others. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina Central University and a master's degree in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. Boyce will begin his duties as police chief on March 1 and will be sworn in as Raleigh's 31st police chief later in the month, according to city officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Union workers written up, fired for using sick days; Nevada lawmaker moves to close loophole
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Some union workers are afraid to use sick days because they might be written up or fired for being 'undependable,' and now a Nevada lawmaker is coming to their aid. A 2019 law that guaranteed paid leave for employees has been weaponized by companies that are exploiting a loophole in the language. Now, Democratic Assem. Selena La Rue Hatch is sponsoring Assembly Bill 179 (AB179) to close that loophole related to workers under collective bargaining agreements. The law was written with the intent of guaranteeing time off for employees. A woman who has worked for a company for nearly 14 years told her story in Carson City on Friday. Amanda Whitten, a member of Teamsters Local 553, described her ordeal. Along with other employees at a company that was not named, she has been written up every time she used a sick day in recent years. 'In July 2024, I had to use a sick day and received a discharge letter as I was deemed a dependability issue,' Whitten said. 'Prior to that, I hadn't used a sick day since 2023, December, almost 9 months.' Nevada lawmakers seek LGBTQ+ landmark status for Las Vegas 'Fruit Loop' After the first year of employment, the company gave workers nine sick days per year. 'I had a full bank of sick days meant for emergencies. But now I constantly worry needing to take time off for myself or my elementary-aged daughter who — like most kids her age — is prone to getting sick.' When she used sick time in October due to severe stomach flu, she got another discharge letter. She still has her job, but she's worried about the discharges on her record, and she sees her co-workers coming to work sick all the time. Proposed $500,000 fund would help victims of investment schemes in Nevada A Teamsters union representative told lawmakers that workers think they don't have the right to call in sick anymore. Union members turned out to testify in support of AB179. The Vegas Chamber and the Nevada Resort Association opposed the bill. A representative with the Nevada Contractors Board said the bill needs to be adjusted to ensure employers subject to collective bargaining agreements don't have to pay for the time off twice. The Nevada Hospital Association argued that businesses — and hospitals in particular — need the ability to apply progressive discipline for absences, calling it a patient safety issue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
