June, 2009 - District 171 DBR Jerry McCune speaks with members of Local 898 in Enid, OK, who voted overwhelmingly to strike for a better contract.
IAM members of Local 898 in Enid, OK, set up picket lines this week following a sub-standard offer from contracting companies CSC Applied Technologies LLC and its sub-contractors, PRI/DJI, DenMar Services and M1 Support Services at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK.
Local 898 represents nearly 775 workers at the air base who perform a wide range of functions, including airfield management operations, civil engineering, information technology, supply, transportation and community services, as well as maintenance for the Vance training fleet of T-6A, T-38 and T-1 aircraft.
“The IAM worked hard to come to a fair and reasonable agreement, but CSC put forth a contract full of takeaways and attacks on the contractual rights of the workers,” said District 171 Directing Business Representative Jerry McCune. “These workers are proud of the mission at Vance and we’re proud of the support they provide. We do not take this action lightly. We hope that CSC will return to the bargaining table and negotiate an agreement that will end this dispute. We are prepared to return to negotiations at any time.”
The IAM filed an Unfair Labor Practice with the National Labor Relations Board concerning the actions of the company negotiators and management during negotiations, including bad faith bargaining, threats, coercion and direct dealing with the union members, bypassing the union negotiators.
“The members of Local 898 are dedicated professionals and they have every right to demand fair treatment and an equitable contract,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “CSC should return to the table immediately and negotiate an end to this strike.”
The IAM has set up a blog at www.vancestrike.blogspot.com for information and communication for IAM members and the community.
