The Local 277 bargaining team agreed to terms on a new 3-year agreement covering the Agents and Public Relations Representatives contracted with American Income Life and National Income Life.  Improvements include increases to additional commissions for insurance, increases in group term life coverage, and added flexibility for leaves of absence.  Public Relations Representatives covered under the agreement also won increases to lead credits, lump-sum amounts upon retirement, and percentage matching for retirement savings.   PR Reps also gained additional opportunities to qualify for different contract levels and additional insurance commissions.  The negotiations team included Laurie Gruber (PR Rep for AIL), David Watkins (Agent for NILICO), and Tyler Turner (Business Manager for OPEIU Local 277).

Members covered under this agreement will receive a copy of the new collective bargaining agreement accompanied by a summary of changes once the final versions are proofed and printed. 

Saturday, January 24, 2021, the members of Local 277, working at the iconic Austin landmark, BookPeople, unanimously ratified their first contract.  After winning the NLRB election in November 2018, the members bargained for nearly two years to get a fair contract.  The agreement is highlighted by significant wage improvements and the core protections that only a collective bargaining agreement can provide.  The bargaining committee included Aaron Garcia, Staci Gray, Maya Lamphier, Griffin Mauser, Molly Moore, Will Tangney, Marco, Valoz, and Patrick Watson.  We want to extend a special acknowledgment to Chris Hollingsworth, who happily accepted and occupied multiple roles throughout the fight, most notably as a member of the Contract Action Team.