IAM members at the 2003 Aerospace Conference rally outside UTC headquarters in Hartford, CT to protest outsourcing and layoffs at Pratt and Whitney. The effort was part of the ongoing “Grow CT” campaign to keep pressure on Pratt and Whitney to stop outsourcing IAM jobs.

Aerospace — 2

To put teeth in our fight, the delegates elected to the IAM’s 1998 Aerospace Conference developed a bold new strategic program for action. Perhaps the most visible change was the creation of the IAM Aerospace Department.

Four full-time coordinators directed by the International President have been working with IAM Aerospace Districts and Locals to coordinate aerospace bargaining throughout North America.

When an employer sits down to bargain with locals in Connecticut, Quebec or California, they face the same IAM Aerospace Coordinator and hear the same issues addressed by IAM leaders united around a common program for action.

The program developed by the delegates contains four planks and brings total commitment from the Executive Council and most importantly, every member involved in the aerospace industry. These planks are:

Common wage and benefit plans—Regardless of which company we work for in the defense or commercial sectors, Aerospace Workers share similar skills and needs. Historically, IAM contracts have established wage and benefit patterns for the entire aerospace industry.

Common contract language—Each year the North American aerospace industry trades thousands of jobs for foreign sales in so-called offset deals and subcontracts thousands more union jobs to low-wage vendors here and overseas. The IAM seeks industry-wide job security protection for all aerospace members.

Common contract expiration dates—It’s a complete waste of time, money, and bargaining strength to negotiate separate contracts with the same employer at separate times and places. We reject the notion that while management is united, the workers are kept divided. We continue to seek contract language pledging employer neutrality and noninterference with the rights of workers to organize and engage in lawful political activities.