Kansas Machinists strike and win better contract

After Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 639 members in Wichita, Kansas, got a load of the draconian contract terms proposed by Bombardier Learjet on Oct. 1, they voted overwhelmingly to strike on Oct. 8. The Fortune 500 Global conglomerate based in Montreal sells combat and business jets as well as NASA Challengers and claims a record of “social responsibility” — which obviously does not extend to the workers. The company offered an eight-year contract (instead of five-year), no raises for the first three years and 1 percent the remaining years, no cost of living raises, replacing the pension plan with a 401(k) and replacing the health care plan with one that would increase costs by double-digits every year. “They want you to work harder and harder, for less and less,” concludes the flyer posted on 639iam.org.

But after the union agreed to mediation on Nov. 2, the negotiating team came back with a much-improved five-year contract, which the membership voted to accept on Nov. 10. Though there is only a signing bonus of $2,500 for the first year and 1 percent raises the next four, the major improvement was, surprisingly, a 10 percent reduction in health-care costs, with another 5 percent savings if workers participate in a wellness program. Compared with the company’s pre-strike offer, workers with single coverage will see a $700 annual reduction in health-care costs, while workers with family coverage will see a $2,300 annual savings. That just proves, even in this economy it pays to strike.