|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|||
|
By Bill Goldston |
||||
 |
September 20, 2010 - “When negotiations started with Cessna, the IAM committed to partner with the company to survive the current recession, and to save and create jobs for the future,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “It soon became obvious that the parent company Textron had a radically different agenda.”
IAM members of
Local 774 in Textron demanded gutting the traditional health care plan and replacing it with by a “consumer-driven” plan that raises premiums by as much as 160 percent and will cost members $5,000 a year before coverage finally kicks in. All future increases in health care will be passed on to the membership, as there are no caps and the company can change the plan design at any time. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
The Local 774
Negotiating Committee unanimously recommended that members reject the
company’s proposal and authorize a strike when the current agreement
expires at midnight on September 19, 2010. Local 774, District 70
represents about 2,400 of Cessna's 6,000
“It is clear
Textron was not interested in breaking new ground in saving jobs in
Members of the
International Association of Machinists voted on the offer Saturday and
overwhelmingly voted to strike. However, IAM members did not have enough
member votes. 58 percent of IAM members that showed up to vote, voted to
strike which represented 49 percent of their members but under the rules
it requires two-thirds of its total members. As a result, by default the
new seven year contract has been adopted. “We understand the times we’re in today,” said Machinists District 70 directing business representative Steve Rooney at Century II after the votes were counted. “A paycheck is a hard thing to give up.” |
||||
