[caption id="attachment_833" align="alignleft" width="300"]Workers at Lincoln College (formerly NADC) rallying for improvements in 2012.[/caption]

SEIU members working at Lincoln College of Technology (formerly known as Nashville Auto Diesel College) voted to ratify a new three-year agreement that gives Lincoln faculty improvements in wages and benefits.

Regarding wages, SEIU negotiated a $2.45 increase for instructors over the term of the agreement. Language specifying how a possible second shift in the body shop would be scheduled was included in the contract as well as protections to limit the amount of time an employee would have to work over his assigned schedule. There was improvements for funeral leave, sick leave, and stronger language to recognize seniority.

Regarding employee health insurance, workers enrolled for single coverage will receive $1,000 up front to cover the initial cost of coverage. Workers enrolling in family coverage will receive 2,000 dollars up front.

The SEIU bargaining committee was made up of Tim Lewald, Jeff Baker, Earl Fields, Paul Losh, and Jason Black. The new agreement expires in 2017.