Machinists Union Recommends Rejection of Boeing Defense Labor Contract in St. Louis, Setting Stage for Potential Strike

Jul 16, 2022 | iMail

ST. LOUIS, July 16, 2022 — Nearly 2,500 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 working at three separate Boeing defense locations in the St. Louis area could be forced to strike following a Sunday, July 24 membership vote on the “last, best, and final” contract offer from the Boeing Co. The major areas of contention are wage increases, auto progression rates, and 401(k) gains.

The contract is set to expire on Monday, July 25 at 12:01 a.m. CT. A seven-day waiting period stipulated in the current contract means IAM members would begin picketing on Monday, Aug. 1, if they vote to reject the contract and go on strike. The membership overwhelmingly passed the strike sanction vote on June 25 by 99 percent.

The IAM bargaining committee cannot, in good conscience, recommend a contract that is not fair and equitable as the company continues to make billions of dollars each year off the backs of hard-working members on the shop floor.

“The company failed to see the membership’s needs on various issues,” said IAM District 837 President and Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “We continued to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting ourselves and our families at risk to maintain production and ensure Boeing obtained the T-7 trainer and MQ-25 refueling drone. We have fought and sacrificed over the years to make this company successful. It’s time Boeing returns the favor and treats us with the dignity and respect we’ve earned and rightfully deserve.”

The IAM is determined to bring home a solid contract for the men and women who build and assemble some of the world’s most advanced weapons and military aircraft.

“We will fight for a contract the membership deserves,” said Boelling. “It’s important now more than ever for our members to trust the committee they elected. Let’s stand together and show this company what solidarity looks like.”

IAM members manufacture and produce the world’s finest weapons and military aircraft, including the F-15, F-18, T-7A trainer, and MQ-25 unmanned refueler.

Full details of all changes in the proposal will be provided by IAM District 837 early next week. IAM members are spread throughout Boeing facilities in St. Charles, Mo., St. Louis, and Mascoutah, Ill.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion

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IAM Local Lodge 219 Members in Kentucky Secure Major Win in NLRB Complaint Against Solution One Industries

Jul 12, 2022 | iMail

IAM Local Lodge 219 and its District Lodge 1888 secured a significant win in its complaint that Solution One Industries unlawfully used temporary workers in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge found three ways Solutions One Industries breached its duty to bargain in good faith.

The case against Solution One Industries began when the IAM filed unfair labor practices in 2021. The decision in the IAM’s favor found that the company made changes in the terms and conditions of employment without notice to the IAM, failed to provide relevant information requested by the IAM, and failed to give effect to a provision in the collective bargaining agreement.

“Our members at Local Lodge 219 in Kentucky are happy about this important decision that impacts their working conditions and provides them clarity in the workplace,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “I want to thank Grand Lodge Representative James Little and IAM District Lodge 1888 Business Representative Ryan McCarthy for their patience and drive to get justice on the job for our members. We hope this is a strong signal for this company and other companies violating collective bargaining agreements and secures the work for our members that the company intended to eliminate through the use of part-time employees.”

IAM Local 219 Members at Solution One Industries in Richmond, KY ship, receive, and warehouse equipment and supplies for the U.S. military special forces groups.

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Local 971 Machinists at Aerojet Rocketdyne Ratify Strong New Deal

Jul 12, 2022 | iMail

Members of IAM Local 971 employed at Aerojet Rocketdyne voted to ratify a new three-year deal recently.

The new accord features general wage increases of 6% in year one, with 1.5% of that raise coming July 30, 2022, 4% in year 2, and 3.5% in year three. Negotiators also maintained the $2,500, and $1,250 respective Health Savings Account employer payments for families and individuals per year over the life of the agreement, while holding the line on healthcare.

The new contract also features:

  • $1,000 ratification bonus
  • Three paygrades added
  • Improvements to bereavement time
  • Added optional unpaid holidays (UPH)
  • Improvements for UPH use

“These members deserved a contract that reflects the quality of work and their dedication,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “This contract does that, my congratulations, and thanks to the Negotiating Committee and District 166 Directing Business Representative Kevin DiMeco for a job well done.”

“IAM Local 971 members are proud of the work they do,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Thanks to the strength of this negotiating committee and the membership, they have secured a strong IAM contract that will secure the futures of our members and their families.”                                            

“My thanks go out to the Negotiating Committee and the membership,” said District 166 Directing Business Representative Kevin DiMeco. “I’m proud of our work at the table, and the solidarity of the group behind the committee.”

The 100 IAM members build the RS-25, and the RL-10 engines that power rockets such as the Atlas V, and Delta IV Heavy Rockets, as well as the Space Launch System.

 

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