The new five-year contract recently approved by union workers at The Greenbrier includes “substantial benefit increases across the board.”
That’s how Workers United Local 863 Business Manager Peter Bostic describes the deal that was ratified last Friday on a 549-37 vote.
“There were negotiated (pay) increases—-every year for the five years. The wage increases are modest but where we spent most of our effort and time were working out vast improvements on the benefits,” Bostic told MetroNews.
Federal health care reform mandated some of the improvements but Bostic says Greenbrier owner Jim Justice enhanced the package by putting in more money. Employees health care will also be financed through some of the profits from the Greenbrier Casino, which was part of the state law that established the gaming operation.
Bostic says union workers at The Greenbrier have more stability than they’ve had in years. It’s the first time they’ve had a five-year contract.
Traditionally The Greenbrier has laid off a number of workers in the winter months because of the seasonal nature of the resort but Bostic says that’s beginning to change with the growth of the casino.
“The seasonality has not been near as severe,” he said. “It (the casino) has helped as we predicted it would. It has helped in reducing the volatility of the business.”
Justice purchased the resort out of bankruptcy in 2009 and Bostic believes the operation is on the right track.
“We were a playground (under former owner CSX) and it was managed as such,” he said. “It’s satisfying and it’s a relief to actually have ownership who makes your place of employment a top priority.”
Bostic says Justice has yet to turn a profit at The Greenbrier but he’s very close. Bostic says that credit goes to Justice and the workers.
“We are very close and have made leaps and bounds in, not necessarily concessions on our part, but a lot of adjustments as far as operating efficiencies that we’ve been open to discuss with the company,” Bostic said.
The new contract begins Thursday, Feb. 1.