Machinists union leaders endorse proposed Textron contract that ‘commits to growing jobs in Wichita’
Machinists union leaders have endorsed a proposed six-year contract with Textron Aviation that the two sides negotiated Wednesday.
Union members will gather between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday at Hartman Arena in order to vote on the contract.
Textron Aviation was formed to include Cessna and Beechcraft after Textron’s acquisition of Beechcraft Corp. earlier this year.
The company’s contract offer was made Wednesday night to union negotiators, according to the website maintained by the union.
In a joint letter, Textron Aviation and the union leadership, said:
“Textron Aviation is committed to continued investment in new products within both the Beechcraft and Cessna product families. The ratification of one contract is necessary to allow us to make this investment and grow in Wichita. The company’s offer: commits to growing jobs in Wichita, preserves the importance of seniority for both workforces and provides improved pay and competitive benefits.”
Job security has been a key demand of the union workers. Union officials said on Sunday that company negotiators walked out after they asked the company put in writing that it would keep jobs in Wichita.
In a summary of the proposed contract, dated on Wednesday, a contract provision called “job security” reads: “Major manufacturing operations are defined as Citation Final Assembly, King Air Final Assembly, Baron/Bonanza Final Assembly and T-6 Final Assembly.”
On seniority rights, the contract creates a new group of workers. Those hired after March 14 or rehired after Oct. 17 are classified as part of the company’s “integrated subdivision,” which means they are integrated between both the former Cessna and Beech operations. They will be laid off first, before existing workers from the Cessna and Beechcraft operations. Those workers are classified as members of the “west subidivision” and the “east subdivision.”
Neither company nor union officials could be reached immediately Thursday.
According to summary, other provisions include:
Contract length: six years
Cost of living increases: yes, capped at $700.
Wage increases: 2015, 3 percent; 2016, 1.5 percent; 2017, 2 percent; 2018, 1.5 percent; 2019, 1.5 percent.
Performance pay: 2015-2017, 2-4 percent; 2018-2020: 3-6 percent.
Other provisions: Textron Aviation will eliminate all smoking and tobacco related products from its east campus by March 31.
For more details, go to: http://www.ll733iam.com/images/PDF/Flyers/Negotiations/FinalAgreement/2014%20CBA%20Summary_%2010%2015%2014_FINAL.pdf
This story was originally published October 16, 2014 at 9:46 AM with the headline "Machinists union leaders endorse proposed Textron contract that ‘commits to growing jobs in Wichita’."