Illinois Agriculture Association Workers Take Charge and Win Big in Union Contract

Maintenance workers at the Illinois Agriculture Association saw an opportunity to demand more in their latest contract. With new management and a new crew came a chance to step up and fight for a union contract that would improve their families’ lives. For the first time in many years, workers entered a fight. Contract negotiations heated up and lasted months instead of a few days. Their efforts paid off; workers have just ratified a new contract with significant pay increases that will bring competitive wages to the organization. Workers will receive pay raises ranging from 98 cents to $2/hr.

“This time around, we wanted to reestablish boundaries. We stepped up and won major pay increases. Without union representation, we wouldn’t have won as much as we did. It helped get us in a better position for the future. Thank you to our rep Ricky Baldwin and SEIU Local 73.”

James Payne, Union Steward and Building Maintenance Tech.