We are pleased to welcome Ed Sieracki to the Dudek & Bock family as our new Chief Operating Officer, effective January 19, 2026.
Ed brings many years of sales leadership and general management experience, with a proven track record of driving growth, strengthening customer relationships, and building high-performing teams. In his role as COO, Ed will be responsible for leading our Sales, Account Management, and Engineering teams, working closely with leadership to support Dudek & Bock’s continued growth strategy and commitment to excellence.
Please join us in welcoming Ed to the team. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to the experience, leadership, and vision he brings to Dudek & Bock. Welcome, Ed!
Recent years in health insurance have been – simply put – expensive! At Dudek & Bock we strive to offer quality coverage at good price. Since the insurance coverage is offered here with employer contribution – keep in mind that if you choose to waive the coverage and decide to purchase something on the individual market (also known as through Obamacare or Marketplace) you may not be able to receive any tax-credits (also know as a subsidy).
It’s part of the Affordable Care Act that states: A job-based health plan is considered “affordable” if your share of the monthly premium in the lowest-cost plan offered by the employer is:
In 2026: less than 9.96% of your household income
If you’re the employee, affordability is based on only the premium you’d pay for self-only (individual) coverage.
For coverage starting January 1, if you’re offered job-based coverage through a household member’s job, affordability is based on the premium amount to cover everyone in the hholdouse.
Total household income includes incomes from everybody in the household who’s required to file a tax return.
If the premiums aren’t considered affordable for the employee and the household, they may qualify for savings in a Marketplace plan. But, if the premium is considered affordable for the employee, but not for other members of the household, then only the other household members may qualify for savings.
If you still take tax-credits and IRS later verifies the affordability – you will have to pay these credits back.
You can calculate affordability here: Family Glitch Calculator
Dudek & Bock insurance is changing this year from BCBS to UHC. If you are selecting the HMO, you will need to designate a primary care physician. If you are selecting the PPO, you may want to check to be sure your current doctor will accept this insurance. The following instructions will show you how to look up a doctor in both the HMO and the PPO networks.
Union members will vote on a contract proposal on Tuesday afternoon, November 11. The schedule is posted on the Break Room door.
The summary of changes is shown below:
ARTICLE III – CHECK OFF
Change name of Union enrollment form (clean-up)
ARTICLE VII – SECTION 7.3. WASH UP PERIODS AND BREAKS
Employees who work more than 10 hours per day will get an additional 10-minute break
ARTICLE VII – SECTION 7.7. OVERTIME SCHEDULING
The contract supersedes the Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance
ARTICLE X – HEALTH INSURANCE
In 2026, the Company will pay 70% of the medical insurance cost; the Employee will pay 30%. If rates increase in the second and third year of the contract, the Company will contribute 100% of the increase up to a cap of 11% (per year). The difference between the 11% cap and the actual increase will be applied to the employee portion.
Bi-Weekly Rates:
HMO EE — $110.74
HMO EE+SP — $228.03
HMO EE+CH — $186.72
HMO Family — $304.41
PPO EE — $108.83
PPO EE+SP — $224.07
PPO EE+CH — $183.47
PPO Family — $299.22
ARTICLE X – SECTION 10.2 SICKNESS & ACCIDENT BENEFITS
Change title of insurance from “Sickness and Accident” to “Short-Term Disability” and “Long-Term Disability” (clean-up)
Increase the benefit from $400/week to $500/week
ARTICLE XVII – POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Remove all language (clean-up)
ARTICLE XVII – PAID LEAVE
New section stating that provisions of this contract explicitly supersede the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act and the Chicago Paid Leave Ordinance. (Company offers the same benefits already.)
ARTICLE XIX – WAGES
Minimum entry wages increased to $17/hour
INCREASE IN HOURLY WAGE
$1.00 first year
$0.75 second year
$0.75 third year
SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL
Increase from 50 cents to $1.00
ARTICLE XXI -SECTION 21.3. LIFE INSURANCE
Increase group life benefit from $40,000 to $45,000
ARTICLE XXI – SECTION 21.4 CONDOLENCE PAY
Company agrees to abide by Illinois Bereavement Leave Act
ARTICLE XXI – SECTION 21.8 401K PLAN
Company match for 401k increased from $620 to $1,000
We are pleased to welcome Ed Sieracki to the Dudek & Bock family as our new Chief Operating Officer, effective January 19, 2026.
