CUNA Union Approves New LaborPact

MADISON, Wis. - (12/28/04) -- CUNA & Affiliates said itsemployees union, the Office and Professional EmployeesInternational Union, Local 39, voted last week to ratify a newlabor contract, which will take effect Jan. 1. The new contractcovers some of the same issues being fought over between the sameunion and CUNA Mutual Group, including a redefinition of the40-hour work week, which requires overtime pay after eight hours ina day. The three-year pact also awards pay raises to unionizedworkers consisting of across-the-board increases and merit raises.The contract covers 60 unionized CUNA employees working in Madison,out of a total of 258 CUNA employees in Madison and Washington.Agreement on the new contract was quick and uncontroversial, incontrast to the ongoing labor strife at CUNA Mutual, where theunion has been without a contract since March 31.