Local 837B News Page

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RTI Tradco Employees Vote For Secure Future

Machinists from the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers District 837 (I.A.M.), employed at RTI Tradco in Washington, MO, made history on February 18, 2007 as the members ratified their first Bargaining Agreement. After a 90 minute meeting to discuss the pros and cons of the contract offer, 66% voted YES to a more secure future.

The four-year agreement guarantees a $300 sign in bonus and a 1% General Wage Increase (GWI) the first year, excellent health care benefits at affordable cost throughout the life of the contract, an additional holiday each year, the creation of a joint Labor-Management Safety Committee, and locks in premiums for lead men, seniority, and shift work, while ensuring the protections every union contract provides is in place. In the second and third years of the contract, the members are entitled to a performance incentive plan that guarantees at least a $1000 bonus each year. In the event the plan does not meet the minimum required levels, the employees will receive a 2% GWI in lieu of the incentive payout. In the last year of the agreement, employees will receive an incentive payout and a 2% GWI.

“This is the first of many improvements we can expect to see in the lives of our newest members,” District 837 President Rick Smith said at the conclusion of the vote. “The people have chosen a better way of life for themselves, their families, and their community. Now, we look forward to working with their Company to prove that Machinists are the best workers in the aerospace industry as we have in so many other shops.”

I.A.M. Grand Lodge Representative Mike Woltz and District Organizer Homer Clawson joined Smith and the Negotiating Team in welcoming the new members.

RTI employees fabricate and machine parts for the aerospace industry. A little over one year ago, a few of the employees began discussions with the I.A.M. in an effort to secure a better way of life. The Machinists Union responded by discussing the possibility of representation with every member employed there. After learning of their needs, the I.A.M. sponsored an Organizing Drive that led to Certification by the National Labor Relations Board on May 24, 2006. The next eight months were spent hammering out a potential agreement to present to the workers.