Record Teamster Turnout Approves Blue Cross Blue Shield Contract

Wage Increases, Bonuses Highlight New Advantages for Local 743 Members

More than 80 percent of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS) workers represented by Teamsters Local 743 voted to ratify a new three-year contract in June.

The record turnout to approve the contract will equate to improved wage increases and employee training for the bargaining unit of more than 700 Teamsters. Throughout negotiations, union leaders expressed humility and appreciation for member involvement and the commitment of hundreds of workers to secure a strong contract.

“As members of a democratic union, we must encourage and rely on one other to play active to roles in shaping our future,” said Larry S. Davis, Local 743 President. “The workers of Blue Cross Blue Shield engaged with local representatives every step of the way. Their positivity and persistence were essential to protecting their rights.”

As part of the new agreement, all BCBS workers will receive wage increases on average of 2 percent each year of the contract, as well as renewed performing bonuses. Workers who maintain strong performance levels within their departments will receive regular bonuses between 3-5 percent of their earnings.

Additionally, BCBS Teamsters have secured supplementary unscheduled days off, new provisions to improve members’ working relationship with management and advanced on-the-job training for workers entering new positions.

Local 743 members—who serve as BCBS technicians, call center operators, claims examiners and other personnel—also voted to preserve all health and welfare benefits from the current contract.

Teamsters Local 743 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, which represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.

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