"After 42 days and nights of negotiations over the last six months, we were able to come to an agreement with management that will better the lives of Imerys’ workers," said PACE Region Five International Representative Jimmy Colston, who served as the chief negotiator for the union. "The company and union were able to work together on this, which we believe has led to a much better relationship after a rocky start."

PACE Region Five Vice President Don Langham thanked Colston along with Keith Fulbright, local 3-516 president, and the union negotiating committee "for their hard work and skilled negotiations." He also thanked Joe Drexler of PACE’s special projects division, Fred Higgs of the Brussels-based International Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions (ICEM), and the European unions who participated in a campaign to secure a first contract with French-based Imerys.

"For the first time, workers will be able to advance in a fair manner and with equal rights to improve their livelihoods and the welfare of their families," said Keith Fulbright. "The contract has brought about unity, pride and dignity that we never had before, and the company will also benefit from this."

The three-year contract provides for a pension up to 2.08 percent of earnings for each year of service; annual raises of 3.5, 3.0 and 3.0 percent; a cap on health insurance premiums paid by workers; incentive bonuses; a 401(k) plan with a company match; overtime pay after eight hours; and increases in shift differential and holiday pay. The contract also eliminates the older "tech system" for promotions and job classifications and replaces it with one based largely on seniority and job bidding rights.

The ratification of the new agreement represents the culmination of a campaign that began in June 1999 after Imerys had withdrawn recognition of the union. PACE and the ICEM waged a global campaign against the company that resulted in a successful organizing drive in June 2000, which led to negotiations for a first contract.