Berkeley Honda's worker strike ends

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 26, 2006 | by ,

BERKELEY -- A 10-month strike at Berkeley Honda is over, following a Monday night vote by union members and Teamsters to accept a new contract.

Members of the East Bay Automotive Machinists Lodge 1546 and Teamsters Local 78 voted 14-1 to accept a five-year contract, said Berkeley Honda general manager Steve Haworth.

Under the deal, workers will be rehired and phased in as business improves. Berkeley Honda also has agreed to fund a defined pension plan for them.

"I'm just sorry the union wasn't able to come up with this pension plan 10 months ago," Haworth said.

With the giant inflatable rat that symbolized the strike gone from in front of the Shattuck Avenue dealership, Haworth said business is picking up.

During the strike, service calls dropped from 65 to 70 a day to 15, dealership owner Tim Beinke said.

On Monday, 35 people brought their vehicles in for service, and employees sold six cars, Beinke said.

The settlement, tentatively reached late last week, was facilitated in part by Mayor Tom Bates, who made sure both sides remained at the table until a deal was signed, said his chief of staff, Cisco DeVries.

"I am extremely pleased the employees and owners of Berkeley Honda have worked through the many issues that divided them," Bates said in a statement.

Under the deal, employees will be enrolled in the International Machinists pension plan.

Berkeley Honda officials did not offer details on wages, pay hikes or health benefits because the specifics are different for each employee, they said.