Machinists at M7 Aerospace Unanimously Ratify New Contract

Forty-five IAM members from M7 Aerospace and Elbit Systems of America, who provide Life Cycle Contractor Support (LCCS) services for the C-26 and UC-35 aircraft including aircraft modifications and upgrades, site and depot-level maintenance and material management, last week unanimously voted to ratify a four-year master agreement.

The contract provides many improvements including wage, shift pay, IAM Pension, lead pay and health and welfare payment increases, less medical insurance cost share for all tiers except employee and job protection language if one of the sites is moved.

“These negotiations were a little unique due to the pandemic, but we prepared for a couple of months via email, surveys and video conference calls to make sure we were ready to go,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator Tony Wirth. “I want to thank IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin, Aerospace Chief of Staff Jody Bennett, Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen, Eastern Territory General Vice President Jimmy Conigliaro Sr. and Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace for their support throughout the process. I congratulate our negotiating committee and members for achieving a great contract as evidenced by its unanimous approval.”

IAM members employed at M7 Aerospace, covering a total of six sites nationwide, had to overcome COVID-19 restrictions to ratify the agreement. The negotiating committee was split, with half holding in person talks with the company while the other half joined simultaneously via video conference.