(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) - SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation) Local 46-represented Genesee Brewery Workers have overwhelmingly agreed to a one-year contract extension that provides a 4% wage increase, a 2% COLA (Cost of Living) Adjustment and no increase in their Health Benefits, Union Officials tell WNYLaborToday.com.

The eight Members of Local 46 perform maintenance work, repair brewing equipment, as well as being responsible for the maintenance of shield guards and the brewery’s HVAC System, among other duties, SMART Officials said.

“Our Members were asked for a one-year extension through December (2025) in light of Genesee’s ($50 million) project to put in brewing for Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light,” Local 46 Business Agent Anthony Valenti said.

“Management ‘sees the value’ of Local (46’s) training and Apprentices ‘in order for their business to grow,’” Valenti continued.  “So having trained Local (46) Members ‘is a priority’ (for Genesee).  ‘We showed them that we would work with them in good fair in exchange for a pledge of taking care of our Members in our next contract.’”

However, the contract extension did benefit the Local 46 Members employed at the Brewery - most notably a 4% wage increase, a 2% COLA (Cost of Living) Adjustment and no increase in their Health Benefits, Valenti said.

“The wage increase ‘was great’ and the COLA increase ‘was a show of good faith on their part.’  ‘We’re looking forward to starting fresh’ (with a new contract),” he said.

The SMART Local 46 Labor Representative also took time to praise new management at the Brewery who “‘see the value in their’ Sheet Metal Shop Employees.”

“We ‘look forward to working with’ Genesee ‘to grow the department and keep that workforce in house.’  This new wave of management ‘seems to care about their Employees.’  ‘In fact, it is a breath of fresh air,’” Valenti said.

One other Rochester Building & Construction Trades’ Member Union - UA Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 13, has also agreed to a new agreement, Valenti said.

At least three others - the Electricians, Operating Engineers and Teamsters, have yet to do so, he added.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Photo Collage Supplied By SMART Local 46.