Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 78 (District 10) at the Harley-Davidson plant in Milwaukee have overwhelmingly ratified a new industry-leading five-year collective bargaining agreement.

The new five-year agreement guarantees wage increases averaging more than 25% over the contract.

Other highlights include:

• Increase in paid breaks during eight-hour continuous shifts
• An enhanced vacation time earning schedule, including the addition of a fifth week
• Inclusion of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday
• Expansion of paid personal time from 20 to 30 hours
• Increase in profit-sharing percentages
• A raise in the pension multiplier
• An increase of the company match to the 401(k) from 50% of the first 6% to 75% of the first 6%
• A $4,000 ratification bonus

“I want to thank the negotiating committee for their hard work and diligence working for the membership on this ratified contract that delivers increased wages and benefits,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “This contract reflects IAM Local 78 members’ skills and dedication to making Harley-Davidson one of the most successful iconic brands in the world.”

“This agreement represents a significant step forward for our workforce, with no concessions made,” said IAM Director of Collective Bargaining Craig Norman. “We are proud to have secured substantial benefits for our members, including notable wage increases and improvements in working conditions.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.

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Approximately 600 members of IAM Local 78 in Waukesha, Wis., Local 439 in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, and Local 1916 in Milwaukee voted recently to accept a strong new contract from GE HealthCare. IAM members employed by GE HealthCare manufacture and maintain various equipment, such as incubators and X-ray machines. 

The new four-year contract improves the retirement savings plan, and holds the line for the cost of health care, including medical, dental and vision. The agreement provides general wage increases of 4%, 5%, 4.5% and 4% over the life of the deal, as well as cost of living adjustments.

“These negotiations were coordinated with our sisters and brothers from the IBEW,” said IAM Collective Bargaining Director Craig Norman, who served as the IAM’s lead negotiator. “Our unions worked together by utilizing the IAM’s Winpisinger Center for negotiation preparation and support from the Strategic Resources Department. Special thank you to all the representatives involved.”

Other improvements include expanded sick, vacation, bereavement leave and a $4,000 appreciation bonus.

“Congratulations to the membership. Their solidarity paid off at the bargaining table,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Our strength is in our solidarity, and it ensures fair treatment for the working people who have made this company what it is today.”

“My thanks and congratulations to our members at GE HealthCare,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Thanks also goes out to the Negotiating Committee for their dedication and hard work, and bringing back an agreement our members overwhelmingly supported.”

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Approximately 500 members of IAM Local 912 in Cincinnati, OH voted Tuesday to accept a new contract from General Electric. IAM members work in General Electric’s aerospace division.

The new 26-month deal keeps the defined benefit pension plan, improves the retirement savings plan, and holds the line for the cost of health care, including medical, dental and vision. The agreement provides general wage increases of 5.7 % in July of 2023 and 7.0 % in July 2024.

The bargaining committee also negotiated job security with a minimum workforce guarantee requiring GE to maintain employment at current levels for the life of the agreement. Other improvements include personal protection equipment allowances increased, expanded bereavement leave, and recall rights.

“I congratulate our membership of IAM Local 912. Their solidarity made these contract improvements possible,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “These negotiations were not easy, but the bargaining committee stood strong, did not back down and fought for a fair deal.”

“These negotiations were coordinated with our sisters and brothers from the UAW,” said IAM Director of Collective Bargaining Craig Norman and lead negotiator for the IAM. “Our unions worked together utilizing the IAM’s W3 Education Center for negotiation preparation training and the support provided from our Strategic Resources Department.  Special thank you to all the representatives involved.”

“My thanks go out to the Negotiating Committee,” said IAM District 34 Directing Business Representative Scott Rich. “They brought back an agreement worthy of the hard work and dedication of our members, and the proof is in the results.”

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Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 175 (District 98) employed at the Harley-Davidson plant in York, Penn., have overwhelmingly ratified a new industry-leading 5-year collective bargaining agreement.

“We are glad that Harley-Davidson realized that a two-tier system for the workforce is not good for the bottom line,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “This contract reflects IAM Local 175 members’ skills and dedication to making Harley-Davidson one of the most successful iconic brands in the world. I want to thank the negotiating committee for their patience in getting our members a deal that locks in increased wages and benefits.”

“Our members had concerns over the two-tier wage scale,” said IAM District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representative Kermit Forbes. “Their solidarity paid off, and together the membership won the day, eliminating the two-tier wage system at the end of the agreement. My thanks go out to the Negotiating Committee and the membership.”

The York facility is Harley-Davidson’s vehicle operations plant, assembles motorcycles, and performs other manufacturing functions.

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Negotiating committee members from IAM Local 175, along with District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representative Kermit Forbes, Winpisinger Education, and Technology Center (W3) Director Chris Wagoner, Director of Collective Bargaining Craig Norman completed a Negotiation Preparation Field Program prior to entering contract talks with Harley-Davidson last week.

The four-day training provided the bargaining committee with the tools needed to develop a strategic negotiating plan. Training included writing contract language, analyzing the company’s strengths and weaknesses, and communicating with members. The week concluded with the group giving a bargaining presentation, a facet of the class created to give the bargaining committee a simulation of the atmosphere at the bargaining table.

“The field negotiation prep program is one of our most important tools,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “This negotiating team has our full support and resources at their disposal.”

“The week of intense long days gave us the opportunity to assemble and develop a detailed plan to secure the best contract possible,” said Forbes. “The Committee worked hard, and they are better prepared to represent the needs of the members.”

“A huge thank you to the bargaining committee and ADBR Kermit Forbes for their hard work,” said District 98 Directing Business Representative Kevin Hallam. “Their hard work will pay off during the negotiation process.”

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More than 200 union appliance service technicians, including Machinists Union members, ratified a new two-year contract with GE-Haier this week. The contract includes general wage increases and caps healthcare costs, putting an average of $6,000 in the pockets of the members.

The technicians are represented by different unions, but use a Joint Bargaining Committee (JBC) to negotiate a national agreement. This increases the bargaining power of the group who reside all across the U.S. and work out of their company provided service vans.

“Congratulations to committee and all the service techs on their new agreement,” said IAM Collective Bargaining Director Craig Norman. “The Joint Bargaining Committee is a great example of how workers can use strength in numbers and solidarity to improve their wages and working conditions.”

“Congrats to the JBC and IAM Local Lodge 78 members on the successful ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement,” said District 10 Business Representative and Joint Bargaining Committee members Joe Terlisner. “Everyone involved should be commended for their commitment and dedication towards negotiating this agreement. The bargaining strength of the JBC, and unity of all the unions involved, aided in securing this national agreement for the members.”

“Congratulations to everyone involved in this new agreement,” said Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “It’s great to see Representatives and members from different labor organizations and different parts of the country, come together and secure a contract that benefits all brothers and sisters.”

The JBC consists of representatives from four major international unions: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), United Association (UA) and United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE). 

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IAM representatives from across the country recently attended the Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees program at the William W. Winpisinger Center in Hollywood, MD. The group is preparing to negotiate a new master agreement with Crown, Cork and Seal.

More than 400 IAM members at four locations around the U.S. are covered under the current master agreement, which expires March 31, 2020.

The master agreement covers wages, health benefits and retirement security. Each local will negotiate contract language specific to their location such as seniority issues, job postings, work schedules and working conditions.

“The negotiation prep class at W3 will be a great informational and educational tool in negotiations out contract with Crown, Cork and Seal,” said LaCrosse, WI Local 1115 President and Chairman Ernie Domnie.

“This was a tough, but rewarding class,” said Olympia, WA Local 695 Negotiating Committee member Tom Schultz. “I definitely feel much better prepared for our negotiations.”

“It was a lot harder than I expected,” said Omaha, NE Local 31 Shop Committeeman Brad Warne. “I learned that you have to be prepared. I would recommend this class, as you get a lot of information.”

Collective Bargaining Director Craig Norman helped facilitate the program along with District 66 Directing Business Representative Neil Kamrowski, District 6 Business Representative Douglas Day and District 160 Business Representative Greg Heidal.

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IAM and IBEW members in General Electric’s aviation and medical divisions accepted the deal after improvements to a previously rejected offer from the company. The new deal keeps the defined benefit pension plan, improves the 401(k) plan, reduces the members’ cost of health care, and includes general wage and cost of living increases.

By voting to accept the contract, a Monday, Aug. 12 strike has been averted.

“I congratulate our membership at General Electric for showing all working people what is possible when we stand together,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “These negotiations were not easy, but these bargaining committees stood strong, did not back down and fought for a fair deal. That’s what being a Fighting Machinist is all about.”

“These negotiations set the table for our future relationship with General Electric,” said IAM General Vice President Brian Bryant. “Our negotiating committees have been a strong voice for our membership from the beginning. The collective strength of our membership and every available resource from the IAM brought this contract home.”

Contact:
DeLane Adams, IAM
301-609-1387
dadams@iamaw.org

The IAM represents 1,250 members at four Locals involved in General Electric negotiations: IAM Locals 78 and 1916 in Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and Waukesha, Wisc., IAM Local 912 in Evendale, Ohio, and IAM Local 439 in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. IAM members work in General Electric’s aviation and medical divisions. The IBEW represents 125 members at three GE locals: IBEW Local 613 in Atlanta, IBEW Local 663 in Milwaukee, and IBEW Local 1014 in Medford, Mass.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeLane Adams, IAM
301-609-1387
dadams@iamaw.org

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2019 – Negotiating committees for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) at General Electric reached a tentative agreement with the company that offers significant improvements to the company’s proposal that was previously rejected by the membership. The IAM and IBEW committees recommend the membership vote to accept the latest contract offer.

The tentative agreement includes both short and long-term financial improvements for IAM and IBEW members at GE. The IAM and IBEW negotiating committees were able to secure many of the membership’s priorities that were not adequately addressed in GE’s first contract offer, including keeping the defined benefit pension plan, improvements to the 401(k) plan, general wage and cost of living increases, and better health care.

Each IAM Local Lodge will hold a ratification vote of the membership on Friday, Aug. 9.

“The solidarity of our membership at General Electric made these key improvements possible,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Our negotiating committee worked tirelessly to secure a tentative agreement that reflects the importance of our members’ role in making GE the company it is today. The voices of our membership have been heard in every step of this process.”

“Our negotiating committee stood together, listened to our membership and built on the key priorities of our hard-working and skilled membership at General Electric,” said IAM General Vice President Brian Bryant. “We knew that our work was not done after the company’s first contract offer. While we realize there are some things we did not achieve, we did secure most of our top priorities. I am very proud of our negotiating committee and our membership for standing strong and demanding their fair share of the profits they create for General Electric.”

 The IAM represents 1,250 members at four Locals involved in General Electric negotiations: IAM Locals 78 and 1916 in Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and Waukesha, Wisc., IAM Local 912 in Evendale, Ohio, and IAM Local 439 in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. IAM members work in General Electric’s aviation and medical divisions. The IBEW represents 125 members at three GE locals: IBEW Local 613 in Atlanta, IBEW Local 663 in Milwaukee, and IBEW Local 1014 in Medford, Mass.

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NEGOTIATION UPDATE

Late in the evening on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, your IAM & IBEW Negotiation Committees reached a Tentative Contract Agreement with GE Management. Your Committees negotiated an independent IAM & IBEW Collective Bargaining Agreement covering both memberships, working for GE. Your committees worked hard to cover issues and concerns of the membership, however we know that not everyone’s expectations were achieved in this Contract Offer.

Considering all the circumstances, your IAM & IBEW Negotiation Committees are recommending that the membership vote to ACCEPT the Tentative Contract Agreement.  

On Friday, August 9, 2019, each IAM Local Lodge will hold a Ratification Vote of the membership. All IAM votes by each Local Lodge will be pooled for a total vote count. A Majority Vote will determine Acceptance or Rejection. A pooled Majority Yes Vote will result in an Accepted Contract. A pooled Majority No Vote results in a Strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2019.

IBEW votes will be tallied by a Majority Acceptance or Rejection.

Details of the contract offer are covered below for your review.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS OF THE CONTRACT OFFER

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