WILLIAMSTOWN - Union workers at Fenton Art Glass Co. approved a three-year labor contract Saturday that will go into effect Monday.
The new agreement provides for increased wages, pension and health insurance in the second and third years of the contract.
The company and negotiators with United Steelworkers Union Local 508T and 508T-1 reached a tentative agreement Friday. The agreement was reviewed by members Saturday and received approval in a vote.
"Negotiations began on Feb. 18," said company President George W. Fenton, "and all of us around the table worked very diligently to balance the needs of the employees with the current economic climate and the continuing effort to return the company to profitability. We are pleased that we have a contract and we can now refocus our efforts on increasing sales and productivity."
"This contract will help maintain and improve the jobs for the 88 Fenton employees who are members of this bargaining unit while continuing the union's effort to work with the company to overcome the difficulties in the marketplace," said Trudy Mendenhall, United Steelworkers Local 508T chairperson.
Fenton Art Glass was founded in 1905 and has been making handmade art glass in Williamstown since Jan. 2, 1907.
