Members Vote 81% to Ratify Contract!

Congratulations to the Machinists Union members working at Triumph Composite Systems today for ratifying a new three-year agreement by 81 percent.

Thanks to every member who participated in the process and took the time to vote. Your solidarity and commitment to the process helped Union negotiators deliver an industry-leading contract – one that we can all be proud of.

Negotiations Update - June 1st, 2010

Your Union Negotiating Team Recommends:  Accept
Click here for a summary of the highlights.pdf

Click Here to view the new contract in its entirety with changes highlighted. word.doc

We had to take off the "Web Version" as it conflicted with what the word document showed when it was converted over to html. We will have to proof both versions to be able to upload a web version later.

Triumph presented your negotiating team with their “best and final offer” on Tuesday, June 1st.  Members identified compensation, job security, and holding down health care costs as top issues. Your negotiating team made gains in job security, lump sum, progression, pension, and COLA.  We held the line on health care and got language to protect the employee’s portion from rampant inflation. The job guarantee language is unprecedented. There are no takeaways and many pluses in the offer.
Highlights of the offer include the following:
JOB PROTECTION GUARANTEES
• Each of the 335 members currently on the payroll today are guaranteed 40 hours employment per week for
life of the agreement. Protects employees from work transfers to Mexico or any other current or future Triumph facility and even against Boeing rate reductions.
LUMP SUM PAYMENTS
 • Lump sum payments each year of the contract. $4,000 first year lump sum is contingent on ratification at first vote on June 3rd. $2,150 second year and $2,150 third year – delivers $8,300 during life of contract.
 JOB PROGRESSION INCREASES
• Increased from current 55¢ to 65¢ every six months, which is an 18% increase.
PENSION
• Pension contributions in each year of contract as follows: 2010 - $1.55 generates $113.47 per month per year.    2011 - $1.65 generates $120.15 per month per year.   2012 - $1.70 generates $123.50 per month
per year. This is a 13.3 percent increase in Company contributions.
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA)
• Improved COLA formula to 100% inflation protection - will pay 1¢ for each .075% change in the average BLS Consumer Price Index (previously $.008 for each .075%). Continue to be paid out twice yearly in a lump sum and will be cumulative.
Health Care
• Share levels to remain at current 85/15 contribution share levels throughout the life of the contract.
• Added language that employees’ share increase will not exceed 8% inflation. If that occurs, Triumph will pay any amount that exceeds 8%.
• Company will provide prescription safety glasses for employees – one pair every 24 months.
VACATION
 • Vacation credits may be used in 2-hour increments with 24-hour advanced notice. Currently had to be used in full or half day.
Your negotiating committee, working on your behalf, recommends you accept this proposal. It shows improvements in nearly every area you identified as important and contains no takeaways. Study the proposal and discuss it with your family prior to the vote. While the negotiating committee makes a recommendation, ultimately it is up to each member to decide if the proposal adequately addresses your issues. We will continue working on your behalf and welcome your input and feedback throughout the life of the contract.
Thanks again for your support – Your IAM Negotiating Team

Negotiations Update - May 28th, 2010

Union negotiators continued to make progress heading into the Memorial Day weekend as negotiations continued. As with any contract talks, things are difficult in the last stages of negotiations, but we will continue to move forward and push to secure the best possible contract for our members. We know it is not easy for you and your families - especially since few details have been released on the talks.

In looking at the remaining time on the current contract, Union negotiators have scheduled the contract vote for Thursday, June 3 at the Spokane Union Hall (4226 E. Mission) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We understand your desire to want adequate time to review the proposal with your family and will make every effort to provide the most time possible for review.

When we have a last, best and final, we will provide a summary of the changes both in print form and on this webpage.

We hope that you and your family have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

Thanks for your support,
Your Negotiating Committee

Negotiations Update - May 25th, 2010

While we have made progress on some of your top issues, there are several key issues that have not been addressed at this point.

Union negotiators will continue to bargain on your behalf through the week and following Memorial Day.

We wanted to let you know now there will not be a vote this week because bargaining sessions are ongoing.

We hope to get the Company’s last, best and final offer early next week with the goal to give you at least 24 hours to review the proposal prior to casting your vote.

Top issues that remain include compensation, SPI increases, pension and job security.

Your Union negotiators will continue to push on these issues to secure the best possible contract for members to vote on.

Thanks for all the input given at the local lodge meeting. A special thank you for coordinating the recent barbecues to all the Union stewards and the members who assisted them.

Thanks for your support,
Your Negotiating Committee

Negotiations Update - May 14, 2010

Formal negotiations continued throughout the week of May 14th. While we have reached tentative agreements in some areas, there are many issues you identified as important that remain open. We will continue to push in the following areas for improvement in:
* Job security from work being transferred to Mexico
* Compensation
* Overtime
* COLA
* Members within seniority progression
* Vacation usage
* Vision plan
* Controlling health care costs

We have had positive discussions on many topics and expect improvements in the areas listed above that you identified as essential. We will continue meeting to deliver a contract with improvements and no takeaways that ensures a secure future for our members at Triumph Composites in Spokane.

As reported earlier, no details from the talks will be released until we have the last, best and final offer from Triumph. This allows the negotiation process to progress at the bargaining table and is the most effective method for successful negotiations.

A special thanks to all the members who took the time to attend the barbecues on May 13th and provide additional input to negotiators, Stewards and Union leadership. Your input continues to drive these talks. 

Thanks for your support,
Your Negotiating Committee

Negotiations Update - May 6, 2010

Formal negotiations between the Machinists Union and Triumph Composites Systems began on Tuesday, May 4. The Union presented a comprehensive proposal on non-economic areas of the contract that reflected the issues identified by Union members. Much of the day was spent explaining concerns the membership has raised with existing contract language.

The Union met throughout the day on the 5^th and 6^th and feel positive about the progress that has been made. We will be meeting throughout next week with the goal of obtaining a successful contract for our members.

In order to allow the negotiation process to move forward most effectively, few details of the talks will be released following each session. The input from the shop floor is what drives these negotiations and doesn’t need outside influences from those who don’t stand to gain from these negotiations. We pledge to keep you as informed as possible and give you time to review the final proposal before a vote.

Thanks for your support,
Your Negotiating Committee

Strike Sanction Vote of Over 99% Demonstrates Solidarity

Congratulations to our members at Triumph Composites who demonstrated their solidarity and Union power by voting over 99 percent to grant strike authorization on Monday, April 19.

This overwhelming show of unity bolsters the Union's position for the upcoming round of bargaining and demonstrates to Triumph you are serious about getting a fair contract that addresses your issues.

Union negotiators will be meeting this week to review results of the recent membership surveys to formulate the Union's initial proposal. Formal negotiations will begin on May 4.

Thanks to every member for taking the time to vote and doing your part to obtain a good contract.

Click here for view the negotiation process.