Company Eats Its Words After a Three-Week Strike

Textron Aviation has announced that it will be resuming contract negotiations with its machinist union, IAM District 70, Local Lodge 774. Thousands of union members have been on strike for three weeks following a seemingly unimpressive settlement offer.

A union leader alleged that Textron was manipulating the proposed contract to make it seem more appealing. Now, nearly 5,000 workers are demanding improved benefits, pay, healthcare, and job security.

The machinist strike began on September 23, with eighty-one percent of the union voting in its favor. The rejected contract proposed a 26% general pay increase, 11% immediate wage increase, 9% 401k match increase, and a promise to keep major manufacturing in Wichita, Kansas for job security reasons. This was negotiated over six weeks and presented as Textron’s “best and final” bid.

“These machinists are very important cogs in the wheel and if you have 5,000 of them strike, you’re going to feel the hitch,” commented Dr. Larry Straub, Newman University Associate Professor of Management.

Clearly, Textron’s ultimatum didn’t stop the machinists from advocating for a better offer. With the strike already being three weeks in, Textron is likely experiencing some pretty significant financial woes. This will only get harsher as the strike blazes on.

Textron confirmed plans to reopen negotiations. The statement read: “Textron Aviation and the IAM District 70, Local Lodge 774 have agreed to return to the negotiating table beginning on Thursday, October 10. We value our longstanding relationship with Union leaders and members and remain committed to collaborating and agreeing upon a contract that acknowledges employees’ contributions, setting us all up for long-term success.”

FMI: https://negotiations.txtav.com