Honeywell, Teamsters reach agreement for Twin Cities workers

Teamsters Local 1145 and Honeywell have agreed to a new four-year labor contract that will provide modest wage hikes, paid sick days and some health care assistance to 1,000 Twin Cities workers.

The final agreement, which was ratified by a solid majority of union members Saturday, comes after weeks of contentious talks, small contract extensions and worries about possible strikes or lockouts that could have affected Honeywell workers at plants in Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Plymouth and Coon Rapids.

Union officials said previously that they worried contract talks here could end in lockouts as they have in Indiana and New York with United Auto Workers members after failed talks last year.

The Twin Cities agreement came after marathon bargaining sessions that lasted 23 hours straight in some cases.

"We are pleased Honeywell's Teamster-represented employees ratified the company's contract offer," said Honeywell spokesman Scott Sayres on Monday. Both the company and the union worked hard to reach an agreement that is fair to employees and supports our business."

Dave Hedberg, secretary/treasurer of Teamsters Local 1145, said the membership is "relieved" to have a new deal.

"But of course, in negotiations, you don't get everything you want," he said.

The Teamsters saved the clause honoring seniority in layoffs and added paid sick days and $2,000 toward employee health care expenses, he said. But the contract will also mark the end of health care benefits for future and past Honeywell retirees who are part of Local 1145. The union did negotiate another year for the benefits, so they will end on Jan. 1, 2018.

Hedberg said the union fought hard to keep the benefits, but in the end lost that battle.

The last retirees who left Honeywell with the promise of health insurance until age 65 left Honeywell in 2013, he said. The youngest of that group would have been 55, but the average age was actually closer to 60, so most will qualify for Medicare by next year.

Going forward, both sides agreed to work on reducing mandatory overtime and on a few other items, union officials said.

Honeywell was founded in the Twin Cities. It merged with AlliedSignal and moved its headquarters to New Jersey in 1999. The company, however, maintains a significant presence in Minnesota. Honeywell employs more than 3,300 people at five facilities.

Dee DePass • 612-673-7725