Local 270 capped off a busy bargaining season with three newly ratified contracts that deliver significant gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions. Agreements with Cleveland Water, Nimishillen Township, and the Perry Nuclear Power Plant improve standards for more than 160 of the local’s members across the region.
Local 270 President Chris Ericksen said the three wins reflect members’ solidarity and the experience of the negotiating committees. “Each of these units had different priorities, but the common thread was clear — our members stood together to improve and protect what they’ve worked so hard to achieve over the years,” Ericksen said.
Cleveland Water: Higher pay, faster vacation, and better licensing incentives
Members at Cleveland Water overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year agreement retroactive to April 1, 2025, following negotiations that concluded in September. The contract covers 62 workers and guarantees 3% annual wage increases through March 31, 2028, plus across-the-board improvements in vacation, licensing, and premiums.
Members prioritized competitive wages, better vacation accrual, and extended timelines for earning state-mandated EPA licenses — and they achieved all three. New employees will now have six additional months to complete licensing requirements, and pay differentials for certifications rose sharply. Workers earning a Class 2 license will see their hourly bonus double from $0.50 to $1.00, while the hourly Class 3 license differential increased from $0.75 to $1.75. Nearly all unit members hold the Class 3 credential, making the change especially impactful.
Vacation accrual also improved significantly. Employees now receive 80 hours after just 30 days of employment — previously they waited a full year — and 120 hours after five years, instead of eight. “Cleveland Water made these changes for management a few years ago,” Ericksen explained. “Our members made sure they got the same respect in this contract.”
Building support specialists, who fall under the same Local 270 contract, gained a new $2-per-hour differential for earning a steam engineer’s license. Additional uniform and tool allowances were secured as well.
Ericksen praised the Cleveland Water bargaining team — chaired by Kenny Walker and joined by Jonathon Blevins, Login Reddinger, and Scott Raimann — for their persistence in reaching a fair deal.
Nimishillen Township: First contract under Local 270
Four road department workers in Nimishillen Township, now part of Local 270 following a merger of former Local 578A, ratified their first contract as Local 270 members on September 23.
“As soon as they joined Local 270, we went to the table,” Ericksen said. “Their priorities were wages and time off, and they won on both fronts.”
The three-year agreement includes 3.5% annual wage increases and major vacation gains. Previously, workers had to wait 10 years to earn a third week of vacation; now they will receive it after five years.
The committee included Ericksen and Lee Gonzales, the unit’s chief steward and division chair. The agreement was ratified with strong support.
Perry Nuclear Plant: Protecting pensions and sick time
At the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, roughly 100 craft division members secured a hard-won contract after 29 bargaining sessions with new owner Vistra Corporation. The facility, located on Lake Erie northeast of Cleveland, has changed hands multiple times in recent years, making stability a top concern.
Workers’ main goals were to protect their current pension plan and retain sick time benefits — both of which they achieved. Vistra initially sought to replace the existing cash balance pension plan with a 401(k) and eliminate sick time in favor of short-term disability, but Local 270 successfully defended both benefits.
The new contract delivers annual wage increases of 3.5%, 3.25%, and 3%, plus a $2,000 signing bonus in lieu of retroactive pay, leaving members ahead financially. The agreement runs through May 1, 2028.
“Protecting our members’ retirement plan and health benefits was non-negotiable for this committee,” said Ericksen. “This contract keeps those guarantees intact while providing solid raises and stability under new ownership.”