Five hundred fifty-four workers at Eagle Group International at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, GA now have a strong IAM contract, after voting IAM Yes last November.
The workers provide maintenance and logistics support for the 3rd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. They do heavy maintenance on the A1 Abrams tank and the Bradley fighting vehicle, and ship the repaired vehicles back into action overseas.
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After winning the organizing drive, the IAM and Eagle Group quickly worked to negotiate a contract. “The employee’s main issue was contract language concerning treatment and a voice on the job,” said Southern Territory Special Representative Joe Greaser. “We covered all of that in the contract, and the members were happy their issues were addressed. Our IAM contract provides for a strong grievance procedure and rights on the job.”
The new contract also provides for a Joint Union-Management Job Description and Promotions Committee, which the membership desired.
The contract provides an average nine percent raise the first year, and raises of four percent the second and four percent the third year of the three-year contract. The company previously had a 401k savings plan, which was retained, and the negotiators brought the membership the IAM Pension Plan for a defined-benefit plan. Workers also received increased sick leave and vacation days, and the health and welfare stipend provides for excellent insurance for the members.
The workers will be part of District Lodge 96 in Savannah, and there are plans to charter the group as a brand-new Local Lodge.
“Negotiations went very well,” said Brother Greaser. “This was certainly a team effort. Our negotiating committee from the shop, aided by Grand Lodge Representative Wayne Camp and District 96 Directing Business Representative Tony Wilson, did a fine job. We couldn’t have gotten such a strong contract without the help of the Dallas Regional Office, headquarters’ Strategic Resources Department and Legal Department. Because of the quality of the contract, it was overwhelmingly ratified by the membership.”
Southern Territory General Vice President Bob Martinez said, “Our committee did an outstanding job, and brought a fantastic IAM Contract to the workers in Georgia. I want to thank the committee, and I want to welcome our newest members in what will be the newest Local Lodge in the IAM. The skill of our negotiators in the Service Contract Arena is invaluable in negotiating great contracts for our Service Contract membership.”
