Three years after winning its first contract with Liberty Gas in Georgia, UWUA Local 607 has reached a strong successor agreement that continues the progress members began when they organized.
The new three-year contract took effect July 19 and delivers an immediate average wage increase of about 8.5% across the local’s 19 job classifications. Members will receive additional across-the-board increases of 3% in 2027 and 2.75% in both 2028 and 2029.
Local 607 President Jason St. Ours said catching up on wages remained members’ top priority. The first contract made significant progress on pay, and the new agreement moves members another step closer to where they believe wages need to be.
“I feel it’s a huge accomplishment for helping us move forward,” St. Ours said, while acknowledging there is still work to do. “We’re working towards the right direction.”
Members also secured important improvements beyond wages. Employees called in after hours will now receive a four-hour minimum regardless of whether they are on standby, correcting a provision that previously provided only two hours to employees who were not on call.
The agreement also builds on safety improvements established in the first contract, which created union-management safety committees at both the Gainesville and Columbus locations. A recommendation from the committees led the union to seek an allowance for flame-resistant uniforms in this round of bargaining — and the company agreed. Other gains include a $2-an-hour premium for above-ground technicians responding to and repairing small-cut plastic service lines and a $75 increase in the annual boot allowance.
St. Ours said that over the past three years, the local has developed a strong working relationship with Liberty, with most issues resolved before reaching the later stages of the grievance process.
Local officers Steven Stokes, Stetson Smith and Cheryl Ward joined St. Ours and UWUA Senior National Representative Rich Cossell on the bargaining committee.
Beyond the direct gains for employees, St. Ours sees evidence of the union’s broader impact at Liberty. He said turnover has declined as improved wages and consistent standards have helped make the company a better place to work.