Real Alloy workers in Kentucky ratify first union contract, winning pay and safety gains

Real Alloy plant in Morgantown votes to ratify first union contract

Teamsters Local 89 members at Real Alloy’s recycling plant in Morgantown, Kentucky, voted this week to ratify the union’s first contract for the site. The pact covers roughly 136 employees and ends months of negotiation between the union and company. Union leaders said the agreement is a multi‑year deal that delivers scheduled wage increases, improved health coverage and clearer protections on safety and seniority. The vote was carried by a large majority late Tuesday. For workers, the contract replaces informal arrangements with written rules that spell out pay steps, holidays, and a grievance process for disputes — changes the union says will make work steadier and safer at a plant that sorts and processes scrap metal for reuse. Real Alloy acknowledged the vote and called the agreement a constructive step toward steady operations in Morgantown.

What the agreement delivers: raises, benefits and formal protections

The contract lays out a set of concrete changes that shape day‑to‑day pay and protections. It is a multi‑year deal with planned wage increases over the life of the contract, so workers can expect steady raises rather than one‑off boosts. Health insurance language expands coverage terms and eases out‑of‑pocket costs for many employees, while the company also agreed to improve access to paid time off and holiday pay.

Crucial workplace rules were written into the contract. Seniority rules now guide shift assignments and layoffs, protecting longer‑tenured employees. The agreement establishes a formal grievance procedure: a step‑by‑step process that gives workers and the union a way to contest discipline or other disputes. The pact also includes clearer safety standards and reporting steps, so hazards must be addressed under the contract rather than left to informal fixes. Together these changes aim to lock in predictable pay and a safer work environment.

How workers reacted and what they expect in daily life

Union leaders and workers greeted the ratification as a significant win. One union representative called the moment “a big step toward stability for families who rely on this plant.” Members said the contract will make it easier to plan for bills, medical needs and time off.

Workers described practical gains: knowing when raises arrive, having a clear route to challenge discipline, and safer equipment and procedures. Many said small things — guaranteed overtime rules, clearer scheduling, and paid holidays — will make the job less stressful. The vote reflected broad support across shifts. Local 89 expects the new language to be enforced through regular meetings between the union and management and sees the contract as a foundation for stronger relations going forward.

Real Alloy in Morgantown and the local impact

The Morgantown facility processes recycled metals and supplies material to foundries and manufacturers. It is a visible employer in a small community where good industrial jobs matter for local taxes and suppliers. For the company, a stable labor relationship can mean fewer disruptions and a clearer path to meet customer commitments.

Real Alloy issued a brief statement saying the company and the union worked in good faith and that both sides look forward to implementing the agreement. Local officials said the contract helps preserve steady jobs and supports nearby businesses that rely on plant payrolls. For a town like Morgantown, the difference between uncertain work and a signed contract can ripple through restaurants, shops and service providers.

Why the deal matters beyond this plant

The contract comes at a time when labor organizing has been active in many parts of manufacturing and recycling. For unions, winning a first contract is a heavyweight moment: it proves that organizing can turn into lasting change at a workplace. For employers in the recycling and metals sector, the deal signals that workers will press for pay and safety protections as the industry faces pressure from market swings and tight margins.

For now, the agreement sets expectations for how bargaining might go at other facilities in the region. It does not end negotiations elsewhere, but it does create a model that other locals and companies will study. In Morgantown, workers and management will now focus on putting the contract to work — in payroll checks, safety meetings and day‑to‑day routine on the shop floor.

Sources

• prnewswire.com