It’s no secret that companies frequently discharge workers engaged in organizing drives, confident that the time it takes to resolve an Unfair Labor Charge (ULP) will far exceed a worker’s resolve and financial ability to keep fighting.
In addition to a lengthy and cumbersome ULP process, the penalties are often so small as to actually encourage other companies to similarly oppose organizing drives at their locations.
In an indication that the tide may be turning, the IAM recently settled a ULP case that included $1.4 million in back pay for 19 Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) Specialists who were recently discharged while seeking to organize their employer, Lockheed Martin Services, Inc.
The AFSS workers successfully completed their organizing drive in 2009, but not before the company implemented a Reduction in Force at five facilities in Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, California and Colorado, selecting employees for layoff because of their activities on behalf of the IAM.
The highly skilled AFSS Specialists sought representation with the IAM after the federal government outsourced their work to Lockheed Martin in 2006. As employees working for a government contractor, they are eligible for wage rates and work rules as defined by the Service Contract Act (SCA), but only if they successfully organized their group.
The settlement is also a testament to the range of services and support the IAM offers workers seeking to organize. In addition to first rate legal support, the AFSS Negotiating Committee took part in the unique Negotiations Preparation Class at the IAM’s Winpisinger Center, where members receive in depth training in all aspects of contract bargaining, including cost analysis of proposals, membership surveys and mock negotiations.
Sat. October 31, 2009
You must not be aware of the world we live in today. You should be happy!Wed. October 28, 2009
Brother Lloyd, Contracts are built over time, agreement by agreement. You may not have have gotten back every thing you had when the FAA ran the Flight Service Stations, but the only chance you have to get it from Lockheed-Martin or any other contractor is through Solidarity and the IAM. Strength through numbers, sign up those who have chosen not to join the IAM and give your negotiators greater power next time.Tue. October 27, 2009
This is a Great Victory for the people in FSS and IAM, I am very disappointed in the Contract the IAM negotiated for us. I have been on 2 national negotiating teams facing the FAA, and it is hard to believe there is no added pay for Sundays...I must have missed it, but is there Holiday pay?We work nearly every Holiday...and all we get is what we were \\\"given\\\" earlier by Lockheed...another day in-lieu of the Holiday, it\\\'s not the same...not nearly...we miss nearly all Holidays...At least the FAA paid Double Pay... How about Sick-Leave...for a work-force with original average age of 50+(until L/M hired a bunch of recent college grads) 5 days/yr...really...again FAA had 12/yr...little influence on work schedules...what of work-groups...L/M has made many policies that they had to change within days. I have been a strong Union supporter for over 30 years..an MBA and several times elected to National office...Treasurer and Executive Vice President...I am disappointed.