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IAM Local 62A has officially opened contract negotiations with Collins Aerospace in Cheshire, Conn., as IAM members prepare to bargain for a strong agreement that recognizes the skill, experience, and contributions of their workforce.
The Local 62A negotiating committee is entering bargaining united and prepared, with committee members recently completing contract negotiation preparation training at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.
IAM members at Collins Aerospace perform highly skilled work that is essential to the company’s success, manufacturing gyroscopes for defense and a multitude of applications.
Now, the negotiating committee is focused on securing a contract that reflects the value of that work and addresses the priorities of the membership.
“Our members at Local 62A have built their careers on skill, precision, and dedication to their work,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “As they enter these negotiations, they should know that their union stands firmly behind them. They have earned a contract that recognizes their contributions, and the IAM Union will be there every step of the way as they fight for the wages, benefits, protections, and future they deserve.”
As bargaining gets underway, the negotiating committee is focused on building a strong contract campaign, keeping members informed and engaged, and making sure the priorities of the workforce remain front and center at the bargaining table.
“Strong bargaining starts with strong solidarity,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Local 62A has taken the time to prepare, establish clear priorities, and bring its members together around the work ahead. When a negotiating committee and its membership stand united, they send a powerful message that they are ready to fight for a contract that respects the value of their work.”
The committee’s recent training at the Winpisinger Center provided hands-on preparation in bargaining strategy, contract campaign planning, legal issues, and member engagement. The training also brought committee members together with Winpisinger Center instructors, IAM Strategic Resources, Communications, and other IAM resources to develop bargaining goals and strategies tailored to the issues facing Local 62A members.
“Preparation gives a negotiating committee the confidence and discipline to walk into the bargaining room ready for the challenges ahead,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “Local 62A’s committee has put in the work to understand the bargaining process and prepare around the priorities of its membership. Now, they are ready to take that preparation to the table and make sure the voices of their fellow members are heard.”
IAM District 26 leadership emphasized that the strength of the negotiations will ultimately depend on the involvement of the entire membership.
“This committee knows that the priorities being brought to the bargaining table come directly from the members who do this work every day,” said IAM District 26 Directing Business Representative Jeff Santini. “Our job is to make sure those priorities are represented clearly and forcefully throughout negotiations. The more engaged our membership is, the stronger position we have to secure an agreement that reflects what these members have earned.”
Local 62A leadership also stressed that negotiations are about more than what happens inside the bargaining room.
“Every member has a role to play as we move through these negotiations,” said Local 62A President Noel Rodriguez. “We are asking our members to stay informed, stay involved, and stand together. A strong contract campaign is built by the membership, and our unity will be one of our greatest strengths throughout this process.”
IAM Aerospace Coordinator Stephen Jordan said Local 62A’s preparation reflects the importance of the work its members perform throughout the aerospace industry.
“Local 62A members understand that the work they perform requires knowledge, precision, and a commitment to quality,” said Jordan. “Those contributions matter to Collins Aerospace, and they should matter at the bargaining table. This committee has prepared itself to clearly present the priorities of its membership and to negotiate with the determination and professionalism that IAM members bring to their jobs every day.”
IAM District 26 Business Representative Dianna Koch emphasized the importance of ensuring the contract recognizes the skill and contributions of Local 62A members.
“Our members at Collins Aerospace perform highly skilled work that is essential to the company’s success, and they deserve a contract that reflects that contribution,” said Koch. “The training provided at the Winpisinger Center gives our negotiating committee the tools, confidence, and strategic preparation needed to advocate effectively for our members. We are committed to securing an agreement that delivers meaningful improvements and protects the interests of the workforce for years to come.”
With contract negotiations now underway, IAM Local 62A members are standing together and ready to fight for a strong agreement that recognizes their contributions, protects their future, and rewards the skilled work they perform every day.
