Badging clerks at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., ratified their first union contract on Tuesday as members of Teamsters Local 769. The unanimous vote secures wage increases, improved vacation benefits and protection of full-time jobs in the 10-member bargaining unit.

Teamster clerks at the Center are federally-contracted personnel employed by Chenega Security and Support Solutions. They process the entry of visitors and employees at the Center, checking security clearances and issuing admission badges. The workers voted a year and a half ago to join Teamsters Local 769 in an effort to win higher pay, benefits and job protection.

“Negotiations with the company were tough but the group held together and won a strong contract,” said Local 769 Business Agent Daisy Gonzalez.

The new contract comes after Teamster clerks unanimously rejected the company’s “last, best and final” proposal. Substantial improvements were made during mediation on the company’s offer, giving the workers two scheduled pay raises instead of one and securing at least seven full-time positions in the unit. The contract also includes improvements to vacation benefits sought by the workers.

“Teamsters at Kennedy Space Center were able to ratify their first collectively bargained agreement because they stood strong and united,” Gonzalez said.

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