Moving Forward

Machinists in Wichita voted Saturday to accept the latest five-year labor offer from Mid-Western Aircraft Systems by a large majority. Eighty-nine percent of members voting decided in favor of the new contract.

"They voted for jobs, and they voted for a new beginning," said Machinists union aerospace coordinator Dick Schneider according to the Wichita Eagle.

The agreement covers about 4,400 workers.
 
"We're extremely pleased," said Onex Corp. managing director Nigel Wright.

He said the company is "cognizant that this is an opportunity to work in really close partnership with the union to do everything we hope to do here, which is become a world-class competitor, get new work... and bring new jobs into the community."

The contract was similar to one rejected last month. In that case, after learning that hundreds of their co-workers had been let go, workers had rejected the contract in hopes that the sale would fall through and that Boeing would continue to run the show. However, Onex decided to go ahead with the purchase.

The contract initially reduces wages by ten percent, and increases health care and other expenses. However, it has guaranteed wage increases in future years, includes the Union's national pension fund, and also includes stock options for the workers.

The options have some profit and other restrictions attached, but they provide a mechanism for the union sacrifices to pay off in the future.

A new apprenticeship program will begin as part of the contract and the company agrees to hire from the union's list of laid off workers and to start them at 90 percent of their former wages if they're hired in the next year.

A company spokesman reported that it plans to hire about 500 workers in about 30 days, and possibly more by the end of the year.

The months of uncertainty have been difficult on workers involved. With a new company, and a new contract, they're trying to look ahead.

"I think it's a winning situation, but I think it's going to take a little while to get there," said Gary Carr, a 24 year former Boeing Employee to the Eagle. "We need to get back to work building airplanes."

FMI: www.midwesternaircraft.com