The IAM, North America’s largest air transport union, has reached a new tentative agreement with Southwest Airlines that would give its members between a 16% and 25% general wage increase over four years and place its members at the top of the airline industry’s pay scale.
The IAM represents approximately 8,300 Customer Service Employees, including Customer Representatives, Customer Service Agents and Source of Support Representatives, at Southwest Airlines.
The five-year tentative agreement includes several improvements over the previous failed tentative agreement, including:
Higher general wage increases
“Me too” clauses for top-of-scale wage rate, signing bonus/retro pay, and paid parking.
The tentative agreement also includes robust job and scope protection language. The IAM negotiating committee unanimously recommends a “yes” vote.
“IAM members at Southwest Airlines have made their strength and their voices heard,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “The IAM continues to negotiate agreements that make history for our members and raise the bar for all airline workers.”
In the coming days, the full version of the tentative agreement will be provided to members.
“Our members made it clear that they demand and deserve the best contract possible from Southwest Airlines,” said IAM District 142 President and Directing General Chair John M. Coveny Jr. “We’re proud to present this industry-leading contract as a testament to their strength and solidarity.”
The IAM will also hold tentative agreement informational meetings as soon as all ratification vote locations and dates are confirmed.
“The membership, negotiating committee, District 142 leadership, Airline Coordinator Tom Regan, and Grand Lodge Representative Jeff Tobius have worked tirelessly to secure this strong tentative agreement,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “We’re grateful for their work and our partnership with Southwest Airlines to make this industry-leading agreement possible.”
“Our IAM negotiating team and membership has been steadfast to obtain an agreement that treats Southwest Airlines workers with the respect they’ve earned,” said IAM Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “This agreement represents years of work, through a pandemic, to put our members at the top of the industry.”
Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) sent a letterof solidarity to IAM District W24 members who have been out on strike against Weyerhaeuser Timber Company for six weeks.
In the letter, BWI pledges their support of the striking North American woodworkers’ fight against Weyerhaeuser’s unfair management.
“When we learned the way the Management of Weyerhaeuser thinks that they can treat you and the fellow workers that have brought with your labour so much profit to the company and their last concessionary offer in which they propose to cut vacation time, increase the cost of your health insurance with a very meagre increase in wages, we understood your anger and we felt the need to express our solidarity on behalf of all our members with your struggle,” reads the letter from BWI.
Building and Wood Workers International is a Global Union Federation that represents 12.5 million workers in the construction and wood working sectors. The Machinists Union is one of 375 unions that comprise BWI and have always played an important role in the Federation. Mike Rose, Chief of Staff for IAM’s Woodworkers Department, is BWI’s North American Regional Vice President.
“We whole-heartedly appreciate the offer of support and solidarity from our BWI brothers and sisters from across the globe,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice-President Gary Allen. “Our woodworkers are asking Weyerhaeuser for a contract that brings dignity and respect to their work; workers all over the world resonate with this struggle, and global solidarity is proof of that.”
“We wish you all the best and be assured of our solidarity and that we will do whatever we can to support you in the struggle for a fair contract at Weyerhaeuser that will honour your justified demands, restores decent work and dignity to all workers,” writes BWI.
The letter is signed by BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson.
SIDNEY, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2022 –A strike that began on Saturday, Oct. 15, at noon has ended for approximately 700 members of theInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1529 (District 15) who work for Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney, NY.
The new contract includes improved wages, the elimination of the two-tier wage system, and improved paid leave.
“Our members stood strong to secure a contract that created fairness in the workplace and improved their quality of life. They are back at work and are thankful for the outpouring of support from the community,” said IAM District 15 Directing Business Representative Norman Shreve. “The elimination of the two-tier wage system through progression was a huge accomplishment. We want to thank the IAM Local 1529 negotiating committee, IAM District 15, and the IAM Eastern Territory for giving our members the resources they needed to make the best decision for them and their families.”
“I am extremely proud of our members for the spirited dialogue to help us achieve this improved contract,” said IAM District 15 Business Representative Kevin Weidman. “We have a proud history at IAM Local 1529, and the solidarity displayed throughout this process will help strengthen our union. I was touched by the support we received from businesses and community members. It’s an honor to advocate on behalf of our members to improve their lives and help make our community a better place to live.”
“IAM Local 1529 members should be proud of the stand they took to get a better contract offer for the membership,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan.“Our entire union pitched in to ensure that our members received the dignity and respect they deserve. The IAM Eastern Territory will always stand by our members for standing strong for a fair and respectable contract agreement.”
IAM District Lodge 15 is one of the largest districts in the IAM, representing approximately 19,000 active and retired members in several different industries.
A group of 12 members from IAM Local 623 spent a recent Saturday building wall shelving for Promise Neighborhood Central (PNC), a community organization in St. Cloud, MN.
Promise Neighborhood Central is an important community hub for low-income families in the area. It provides year-round academic programs for youth and resources and training for adults.
District 77 organizer Brittany Anderson arranged the IAM H.E.L.P.S. project with help from Grand Lodge Representative Geny Ulloa and District 77 Directing Business Representative John Steigauf, recruiting Local 623 members who weren’t previously active in union events.
“We had a few young members who hadn’t been involved before,” said Anderson. “They saw the flyer and it resonated with their values, so they participated, got to know their union siblings and now they are involved.”
The volunteers replaced unstable free-standing shelves with wall shelving in four different rooms.
“The shelves they had before took up a lot of room and didn’t quite fit the space,” said Anderson. “Our members are super handy, from both their work and home improvement in their free time, so they had the know-how to install shelves directly into the walls and customize them to fit the space specifically for what PNC needed.”
The new shelving created more space in PNC’s library and greatly increased the capacity of its food and diaper pantries.
“As union members and leaders, community service is crucial for building relationships with our members outside of work,” said Steigauf. “It reminds people that the union is a resource made up of workers who want to help.”
“Giving back to the communities in which we work and live is an important value within the IAM Midwest Territory,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Thank you to the members of IAM Local Lodge 623 for their commitment to the IAM H.E.L.P.S. program and their continued efforts to serve all those around them.”
