Members of the Machinists Union voted Saturday in Wichita to reject a contract offer from Textron Aviation, and they voted to begin a strike at 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Strikers will be on the picket lines at at Textron Aviation’s West Campus, East Campus, Wichita Service Center and Components Manufacturing Facility locations.
In a vote held at Park City Arena, 81 percent of union members voted against the offer.
The company said in a social media post:
Textron Aviation is disappointed that IAM District 70, Local Lodge 774 members did not vote to accept the proposed four-year contract with Textron Aviation and have chosen to strike. The contract offer, which took six weeks of thoughtful and good-faith negotiations by both the Union and the company negotiating committees, provided a plan that aimed to protect the future of all Textron Aviation employees and the Wichita community.
No one benefits from a strike, and the company has made every effort to avoid one. However, as would be expected of any responsible business, the company has prepared for this scenario to ensure the business continues to operate for customers.
Textron Aviation is as committed as ever to collaborating and agreeing upon a contract with the IAM that acknowledges employees’ contributions and sets all up for long-term success.
Union members said their main issues were better paid time off, better benefits for their families, and livable wages. The company’s offer included a 26% pay increase over the next four years, including an 11% increase immediately if the contract is agreed upon.
