Following a 13-hour bargaining session yesterday, the union reached a tentative
first contract at Amnesty International USA, which provides for a 12.5% increase
in base wages over the life of a 3-1/2 year agreement. General wage increases of 3% will be paid January 1, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, and the contract runs through June 30, 2015.
The pact also includes the establishment of minimum rates for titles over five separate pay grades, providing substantial increases to a number of the lowest paid employees. In
addition, the agreement establishes a $750 longevity increment for employees
with three years service at AIUSA, as well as minimum promotional guarantees for
employees promoted to a job at a higher grade. The employer agreed to continue
to pay the total cost of family health insurance throughout the life of the
contract as well as a 3% contribution into employees' retirement accounts. Other
features include a grievance and arbitration provision, overtime protection,
non-discrimination language, paid bereavement leave for expanded categories of
family members, and compensatory time off for FLSA exempt employees required to
work on weekends or holidays.
A unique preamble to the contract declares the workplace to be human rights
based, alluding to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.