Union contracts in 2006 improve over 2005

THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL Affairs reports that an analysis of new collective bargaining agreements through Nov. 20, 2006, shows an average wage increase of 3.4 percent in the first year of the contract, compared to 3.1 percent in the comparable period of 2005.

Major contracts reached during the period include a new three-year contract between Tyson Foods and the United Food and Commercial Workers, representing approximately 900 workers in Ohio, and new three-year contracts between St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and United Auto Workers, covering approximately 2,650 workers.