Rexnord And Local Union Reach Severance Agreement

United Steelworkers Local 1999 says it has finished negotiating a severance package deal with Rexnord. The ball bearings plant is relocating about 300 jobs from Indianapolis to Mexico.

Rexnord employees will receive $1,500 dollars, one week’s pay for each year of service at the company, and six months of continued medical, dental and vision insurance.

It’s similar to the deal Local 1999 negotiated with Carrier before that company decided to reverse some of its planned layoffs.

There’s been no such decision at Rexnord, and union local president Chuck Jones says he’s disappointed in what he calls the company’s “heartless” decision to shut down the plant. He says the severance package is small comfort for employees who will lose their jobs starting in February.

The union also applied for Trade Adjustment Assistance program – a federal program that helps workers who lose their jobs as a result of foreign trade – but the request has not yet been approved.