Elevator Constructors Union Ratifies Collective Bargaining Agreement

Every 5 years the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) enters into a collectively bargained agreement with elevator companies across the United States. The agreement addresses a range of issues ranging from work jurisdiction, compensation for the work performed to on-the-job safety and as such impacts the entire elevator industry for the next 5 years.

Typically, IUEC signs two collectively bargained agreements; one is with National Elevator Bargaining Association (NEBA) which includes the 6 largest elevator industry employers in the US (Otis, Schindler, Fujitec America, Kone, Mitsubishi, North American Elevator Service, and TKE), while the other one is with The Elevator Contractors of America (ECA), which is an employer group of independent signatory contractors.

In early April 2022, hundreds of delegates representing the more than 31,000 members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) gathered in Washington DC to review, debate, and ultimately vote on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Once the contract had been successfully ratified, IUEC General President Frank Christensen released a statement reflecting on the ratification. In his statement, GP Christensen touts contract provisions such as increased wages, robust healthcare and retirement benefits, and the establishment of a first-ever labor-management safety committee. In his statement, the union leader recognizes the value of strong partnerships between labor and management, and stresses the importance of working with contractor partners to address pertinent safety issues.

Read the full statement here:

“Delegates from coast to coast came together and got the job done. With increased wages and a strong benefits package, the new contract is a victory for our union, our members, and our members’ families – supporting it was a no-brainer. What’s more, the contract increases funding to advance industry safety initiatives, as well as grow market share.

“Two things matter most to me – ensuring my brothers and sisters are taken care of from a pay and benefits standpoint and keeping them safe on the job. While lucrative and fulfilling, a career in the elevator trade is an innately dangerous job. From falls to electrical hazards, so much can, and unfortunately does, sometimes go wrong. That’s why, as part of the new agreement, there was a renewed commitment to continuing education and safety, including the formation of a first-ever labor-management safety committee.

“The organized elevator industry recognizes the importance of collaborating with contractor partners to effectively identify and address both general construction and industry-specific safety issues. The reality is this: For the elevator industry to be a safer one, a strong partnership must exist between labor and management. Together, we can and will do everything in our power to see that, at the end of the day, all workers go home safely.”