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| (left to right) IAM Bargaining Committee for members of Local 845: GLR Don Gresham, Thomas O’Bryant, Aerospace Coordinator Jody Bennett, Bob Simoni, Robert Sumlin, Thomas Coons and Fernando Ledesma. |
Members of Local 845 in Las Vegas, NV who are employed by CSC at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) have ratified their second contract with significant improvements since joining the IAM just a few years ago.
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| IAM members of Local 845 in Las Vegas, NV provide maintenance and support for F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft (above) at Nellis Air Force Base. |
The IAM members at Nellis perform maintenance work on the Air Force’s F-15, F-16 and F-22 aircraft in addition to maintaining weapon systems, ordinance, life support, avionics, electronics and supply.
Highlights of the three-year agreement include a three percent annual wage hike as well as annual increases that bring the IAM National Pension Plan from .80 to $1.05 for every hour worked. The contract was endorsed by the Local 845 Bargaining Committee, and enthusiastically ratified by a 204-8 margin.
“This Bargaining Committee spent a lot of time preparing for negotiations with the staff at the William W. Winpisinger Center,” said Aerospace Territory Special Representative Jody Bennett, who helped guide the negotiations to a successful conclusion. “Protecting hard-won benefits and setting the bar in wages, pensions and conditions of employment were our focus.”
Bennett also praised the efforts by Western Territory GLR Don Gresham, who spent “countless” hours working with the committee prior to and during the negotiations.
“The amount of time and effort spent preparing for this negotiation was invaluable,” said Bennett. “In addition to the help from Chris Wagoner and the staff at the Winpisinger Center, we also benefited from guidance and research provided by the Strategic Resource Department.
Additional improvements in the new contract include a safety shoe allowance of $75 in every year of the three-year contract; shift preference by seniority; health and welfare increases; higher pay for aircraft run up; new lead position with pay and the Machinist Custom Choice Supplemental Insurance Option.
In addition to Bennett and Gresham, the bargaining committee featured many members of the local lodge, including Amy Mell, Robert Sumlin, Robert Simoni, Thomas O’Bryant, Fernando Ledesma, Thomas Coons and Bruce Burridge.
