The IATSE successfully negotiates a first contract with MetroCentre in Rockford, Illinois, Thomas C. Short, International President of the IATSE, announced. With this successful organizing drive and the implementation of the contract, about 80 new members will be joining Local 217.
Negotiations were successfully concluded Tuesday, May 21, 2002, between IATSE Local 217 and the Management of The Rockford Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building Authority, known as the “MetroCentre.” The MetroCentre and Center Events control the Entertainment at the MetroCentre, an Arena-Exhibition Facility, the Coronado Theater, the legit venue in Rockford, and Davis Park, an outdoor venue used for festivals.
Local 217 won a successful organizing effort for the employees of the MetroCentre last August, and has now completed a First Contract with the Managers of the facility. This Collective Bargaining Agreement is subject to Ratification by the Membership of the Local and approval of the Board of the MetroCentre.
The Contract goes into effect on July 1, 2002, and has a three year term. Some of the highlights of this first contract are wages increases, overtime, and paid holidays.
The conclusion of the negotiations was viewed very positively by the Officers of Local 217, who look forward to a continued relationship with the MetroCentre and its management. International Representative Thomas J. Kiousis spearheaded these negotiations on behalf of the IATSE.
