Members of Local 18 in Meridian, MS and Local 2340 in Kingsville, TX recently ratified a new three-year accord with L-3 Vertex that features three percent annual wage increases and raises the employer contribution to the IAM National Pension Fund from $1.50 per hour to $2.00 per hour. The pension hike results in a $20 per month increase to the multiplier for the pension benefit.
The new contract was overwhelmingly ratified by IAM members at L-3 who provide maintenance and associated support to the United States Navy T-45 training program.
Aerospace Territory Special Representative Jody Bennett and District 73 Business Representative Benji Sullivan worked closely with the Bargaining Committee, which included members Tony Deel, Ray Woodrum, Joe Quillian, Ricky Smith, Phil Runyon and Kendal Morgan. The committee successfully preserved the existing health insurance plans while maintaining a cap in cost sharing for employees. Other improvements were made in the areas of paid personal time off, vacation carryover, procedures on discipline, additional base-closure days and boot allowance.
“This goes to show what can be done through coordinated bargaining, and how the Aerospace Territory can work with other IAM Territories to help achieve success in aerospace negotiations,” said Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin, who praised the efforts of SR Bennett, BR Sullivan and the entire Bargaining Committee. “Pension plans have been under attack, but this is another win in a series of pension victories here in Aerospace. This committee was determined to keep a pension and committed to ensure that the pension benefit would be around for the union members of tomorrow.”
