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Approximately 550 IAM Local 2771 (District 776) members at M1 Support Services at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas have overhelmingly ratified a strong new contract. The four-year deal wins pay increases of more than 22%.
Local 2771 members support the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Program (ENJJPT), the world’s only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program dedicated to producing combat pilots for NATO. Roughly 200 pilots and 55 instructor pilots graduate the 55 week program each year.
“Our members wanted to keep up with the affordability crisis, and keep the contract language gains they have won over the years,” said IAM District 776 Chief of Staff Cory Bennett. “Our negotiating committee delivered for the members and we improved the contract language in key spots. That led to the strong ratification vote.”
The contract locks in employee and family healthcare contributions. The new deal includes stronger language on scope of work and work rules, including that IAM members shall be paid if management cancels overtime shifts once the employee has been notified.
“They deserve this strong contract that reflects the value of the work they do,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “Solidarity like this brings our members the job security needed for four more years of stability on this contract.”
IAM members perform flight operations and maintenance on the T-6 Texan and T-38 Talon aircraft, helping train the next generation of NATO pilots. The mission is a key operation for the 82nd Training Wing of the United States Air Force and 14 allied NATO countries.
The ENJJPT program began as a 10-year experiment in pilot training in 1981, and has been in operation ever since.
