IAM members at Spirit AeroSystems in Kinston, NC recently ratified an historic first agreement that aims to help grow the new facility with a ground-breaking partnership.
The contract is a 12-year accord, which will continue year-to-year thereafter unless one party or the other asks to negotiate anew. A Joint Partnership Committee will be established to guide the agreement, which includes raises, a ratification bonus and inclusion of the Kinston facility into the IAM Pension Plan.
“This is a highly innovative agreement that sets a new standard for company/union partnerships,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “The long-term nature of the agreement equals long-term stability for members and the company. The living agreement component provides the company and union with the flexibility to adapt the agreement as needed to keep the Kinston facility competitive.”
“I’m proud of our Negotiating Committee and the membership at large for their work toward this agreement,” said Aerospace Coordinator Ron Eldridge, who helped broker the accord. “We broke new ground that ensures a bright future for the members at this growing company.”
