Brentwood workers ratify 4-year contract

The new pact ends Local 1-598’s strike against the pillow manufacturer, which began March 7.

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of United Steelworkers of American Local 1-598 approved a new four-year contract with Brentwood Originals that gives them a 5 percent pay increase over the life of the agreement.

The new contract, retroactive to Feb. 6, the date the old contract expired, was approved by a 97-64 vote Monday night, said Hattie Wilkins, union president.

“I’m glad the strike is over. We got our dignity back. We made progress,” Wilkins said.

The new pact ends Local 1-598’s strike against Brentwood, which began when workers walked off their jobs March 7.

The union workers, who were paid from $9.15 to $10.62 per hour under the previous contract, had rejected an offer from the company that included a raise of 75 cents an hour over four years.

The company, which pays the full premium for medical insurance, had also proposed raising the annual deductible from $250 to $750.

Under the new agreement, the annual deductible is $500, Wilkins said.

She said union officials planned to meet with company officials to figure out how to get the workers back on the job.

Brentwood, on North Meridian Road, makes decorative pillows.