01/25/2012 0 Comments

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.—IEU/CWA Local 81408, the Optical Workers Union that represents associates at Davis Vision’s optical lab located here, authorized a strike on Jan. 22. Approximately 115 employees are covered under the bargaining unit contract. The international union (IUE/CWA) has not endorsed the strike.

Business operations will continue without interruption during strike activities, and Davis Vision has taken measures to continue to ensure a safe and productive work environment for those associates who choose to cross the picket line and continue to work, according to the company, which reported that it has negotiated for more than 10 months to reach a new labor agreement.

“We are disappointed that associates have foregone ratification of what we believe to be a contract that is fair, generous and structured to benefit our employees while positioning our company for continued growth,” said Davis Vision president Steve Holden. “Our clients have chosen Davis Vision because of our earned reputation for service along with timely and quality eyeglass production in this facility, and we are fortunate to have the full capacity of our HVHC lab system available to us to ensure our quality standards are maintained and we are able to fulfill our current and future orders.”

Key elements of the contract Davis Vision proposed but were rejected by the union include a 2.75 percent annual wage increase in each of three contract years, an immediate market rate wage increase for 32 percent of the workforce, which raises the first year wage increase approximately 6.6 percent, and a freeze on employee medical contributions this year, according to the company. Davis Vision also reported that a $350 lump sum payment in each year of the contract was promised along with a production incentive plan with payment potential for quality production of up to $9.50 per hour for all lab associates.

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