WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Textron Aviation sent its “best and final” contract offer to the Machinists union ahead of Saturday’s contract and strike votes.
The current contract expires at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, and the company and the International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 774 have been negotiating a new contract for over a month.
Late Wednesday, the company presented its final contract offer. Some of the key points are:
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A 26% general wage increase over the life of the contract:
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11% effective immediately upon ratification of the contract,
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4% on Sept. 21, 2025,
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5% on Sept. 20, 2026, and
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6% on Sept. 19, 2027.
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The wage increase is in addition to a 4% general wage increase added in 2022.
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The cost of living adjustment maximum has been increased from $700 to $1,500 a year.
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There is a guaranteed $3,000 lump sum payment every year of the contract.
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The 401K match increases to 9%.
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New longevity pay to be paid yearly:
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$250 for 5 to 10 years of service,
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$500 for 10 to 15 years, and
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$1,000 for more than 15 years.
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A zero increase to the no-deductible plan health insurance premium. Increases to the low- and high-deductible premiums will be capped at a 3% increase annually.
The contract is 57 pages long. Textron Aviation summed it up in a five-page document.
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The company will hold information sessions before the vote so workers can review all the details and ask questions.
Todd McKee, senior vice president of the Textron Aviation Integrated Supply Chain, appeared in a YouTube video to support the contract.
“We have a great opportunity to advance together and achieve new successes in the years to come,” he said. “Our employees are what make Textron Aviation a leader in the aviation industry. We thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to excellence.”
KSN News has reached out to the union for its reaction to the contract offer. We will update this story when we hear back.
This Saturday, Machinists union members will gather at Park City Arena, the former Hartman Arena, at 8151 N. Hartman Arena Dr. The union will go over Textron Aviation’s offer line by line and then recommend whether members should accept or reject it. Then, the union members will vote.
They will get a two-part ballot. The first part will be used to vote for or against the contract, and the second will be used to vote for or against a strike.
Union meeting schedule:
If machinist union members reject the company’s contract offer and vote by a two-thirds majority in favor of a strike, the strike will begin the moment the old contract ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
If there is a strike, the union will have two strike headquarters. Machinists who work at Textron Aviation’s West Campus will report to the headquarters at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Building, 4646 W. Kellogg Dr., just west of PetSmart. Machinists who work at the East Campus will go to the headquarters at the Carpenters Union Building, 7223 E. Harry St.
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