The latest contracts negotiated under the Service Contract Act (SCA) for IAM members demonstrate once again the benefits of having a bargaining committee with years of experience dealing with the unique opportunities afforded by union representation under the SCA.
IAM members of Local 449 in Panama City, FL employed by Defense Support Services at Tyndall AFB and IAM District 77 members at CAE USA, Inc. at the Air National Guard in Minneapolis, MN recently ratified new three-year accords with solid improvements, including general wage increases of 3.5 percent the first year and 3.25 percent in the second and third years.
Other highlights for Local 449 members include improvements in vacation and holidays; decreased medical, dental and vision rates for 2011, then limiting medical costs to 20 percent of the premium increase in years 2012 and 2013. Members also negotiated the Machinists Custom Choice Worksite Benefits Program into their contract.
In Minneapolis, District 77 members bargained for cash in lieu of health and welfare benefits of $4.75 in the first year, $5.00 in the second and $5.25 in the third year of the contract; company-provided flight insurance for members whose jobs require flying on military aircraft; and the Machinists Custom Choice Worksite Benefits Program.
“The committees at both locations were prepared for their respective negotiations,” said Aerospace Coordinator Ray Moffatt, “thanks to the assistance of District 75 Business Rep Steve Jordan in Florida and District 77 Assistant DBR Rick Ryan in Minnesota. Both groups should be proud of the high standard set for other SCA negotiations.”
