More than 240 IAM members, who perform aircraft maintenance at Whidbey Naval Air Station, in Oak Harbor, Washington, overwhelmingly ratified a new first collective bargaining agreement with URS Corp on July 27. The new agreement provides wage increases of at least 14 percent over the life of the four-year agreement.
“The workers were excited to know their wages, hours and working conditions are secured in writing,” said Jesse Cote, organizer for IAM District 751. “The overwhelming vote reflected the tremendous solidarity the group has maintained since they voted to join the IAM at the end of last year”.
URS member Jim Ward, who served on the negotiations, said, “It was a great learning experience with a lot of hard work and a great outcome/income.”
Gary Allen, General Vice-President of the IAM Western Territory said, ”This is a tremendous win for our new members, and for the IAM. They stood strong to win the right to bargain with the company, and our highly-trained representatives delivered a first-class contract to them. Congratulations to DBR Wroblewski and his staff for their fine work, and to our URS members who stood strong and now have a contract they can be proud of”.
The agreement emphasizes the gains workers can make through collective bargaining and union representation. Highlights of the first agreement negotiated under Service Contract Act guidelines includes:
• A General Wage Increase each year of the contract: 3 percent, 3.5 percent, 3.5 percent and 4 percent.
• Workers in five job classifications will receive $1 an hour increases in each of the first three years prior to receiving the general wage increase.
• Increase in shift premium, in each of the first three years.
• Introduced Special Assignment Differentials and increased several existing differentials.
• Health and Welfare supplement will be increased each year of the agreement, and employees can use the money to purchase medical benefits; unused money will be paid to the employee.
• IAM Pension Plan with increased company contribution each year.
Other highlights include a grievance and arbitration procedure, safety shoe allowance, rules on hours of work and overtime, a vacation schedule and carryover language; 40 hours sick leave; bereavement leave; and administrative leave for base closures (i.e. snow days).
Field duty had been a top concern and negotiators delivered strong language that ensures workers are paid:
• Actual travel time when traveling commercial from home to destination work site or quarters.
• Actual travel time when traveling military from work site to destination work site or quarters.
• Minimum 8 hours a day while on ship based or shore based TDY assignments.
• Up to 8 hours standby per day during scheduled workweek when on shore-based TDY and required to wait for transport to return home.
“I believe the agreement touched on every major issue members identified as important in our surveys,” said Business Rep Jon Holden, one of the Union negotiators.
“It was an eye opening experience into the union negotiation process. The outcome exceeded my original expectation,” said member Mark Koontz. “I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be involved with this process. I look forward to servicing our membership. Thank you for the experience.”
“Initially, I was skeptical about union representation. After educating myself on the process, it is clear we needed representation. This collective bargaining agreement will change a lot of the wrongs that have plagued our workforce for way too long,” said Shannon Carr, who served on the in-plant committee. “Awesome effort by our committee members. Awesome first contract for our organization.”
“I started the process as a skeptic, but I learned as the process went on and became a strong proponent of the Union,” said Bill Neighbours. “I learned a great deal with an awesome outcome in the contract.”
“As a former recruiter, I paid attention to the presentation from the IAM. What was said made sense and at some point blind faith takes over,” said Greg Ringelstetter, one of the URS members at the bargaining table. “The IAM laid out the process and true to form, it went just like they said. It is not an easy or short process, but in the end, it is definitely worth it.”
“The Negotiating Committee worked tirelessly to address issues members had identified as a priority,” said District 751 President Tom Wroblewski. “Union negotiators provided leadership and guidance throughout the bargaining process. Solid, positive contracts like this show the unorganized the value of gaining IAM representation.”
District President Tom Wroblewski, Business Reps Jon Holden and Richard Jackson, Organizer Jesse Cote, and Administrative Assistant Jim Bearden want to give a special thanks to the URS Union negotiating committee for all their hardwork: Greg Ringelstetter, Dan Fabrao, Mark Koontz, Bill Neighbours, Ken Wolf, James Ward and Shannon Carr.
