McTeague Higbee Staff (IAM S-89) Ratify Contract with Pay Raises & Other Improvements

Legal support staff (Machinists Local S-89) at the Topsham-based law firm McTeague Higbee have ratified a new contract with pay raises and other improvements. 

“The bargaining went very well,” said Carol Sanborn, a paralegal and President of Machinists Local S-89. “We needed only two bargaining sessions which, together, took a total of about two hours. The company came to the table ready to listen and negotiate seriously and with IAM Directing Business Representative Jay Wadleigh, we were able to work it all out in the second session. Our members ratified it unanimously.”

The one-year contract includes:

• Stratified wage increases of 6.5%, 4%, 2% that will balance out inequities in the wage system due to labor market compression and other factors.

• Two more categories of family added to the company bereavement policy.

• Adoption of a child added to the parental leave policy.

• Time and a half for members required to work during a pre-approved vacation.

• Increase in the pension contribution.