Textron Aviation strike ends as union ratifies contract

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 70, Local Lodge 774, ratified a new five-year contract to end the fou r-week strike at Textron Aviation.

Union members voted on Saturday and Sunday .

“We know aircraft in Wichita,” said IAM District 70 Business Representative for Local 774 Clint Shockley in a statement. “We also know family, survival, and our members’ rooted values here. Local 774 members have shown that through collective action and won.”

“Our skilled members in Wichita know what it takes to make Textron Aviation products just like they know how to stick together for what’s right,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant in a statement. “The dedication it takes to stand up with your Brothers and Sisters to fight for what you deserve is admirable, and the entire IAM is beyond proud of Local 774.”

“We are pleased to have ratified a contract with the IAM that offers our employees, their families and the Wichita community a shared future,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “We value our workforce and the work they do, and this agreement reflects our commitment to our team. The ratification of this contract marks a new chapter, and we are eager to move forward together.”

Meanwhile, union members at headquarter Sunday were unsatisfied with the changes in the new contract, versus the one presented a month ago.

“I know a lot of my fellow employees have had to file bankruptcy and everything like that when they have a surgery,” said Denvar Harder, a union member.

Harder said she’s proud of working at Textron Aviation, but pay and benefits need to improve. It’s a sentiment shared by fellow union member Ondrionna Rivera, who was willing to stay on strike.

Rivera has a toddler at home, but she says she works nearly 60 hours a week.

“Being a single parent working more than I’m spending time with my son, I’m paying someone for childcare to raise my kid instead of me,” Rivera said.

Textron aviation employees say not everyone was financially prepared to lose income during a strike, which is why they agreed to approve the new contract and get back to work.

Some employees say there were rumors a new contract offer wouldn’t come up until Thanksgiving if they did not approve this one.

“I’m not sure anybody was thinking long term about the ramifications of accepting an offer like this are,” said union member Robert Clayton. “I think time is gonna tell us, but I don’t see this as a win. I don’t think a good thing happened here today.”

Textron Aviation said that workers cou ld return to work beginning Wednesday, Oct. 23, and provided instructions for those employees on the company’s website .

The company said highlights of the new contract include the following:

• A five-year contract that brings the total proposed general wage increase to 31% during the five-year term, including an immediate 11% raise upon ratification,
• A guaranteed $3,000 lump sum payment each year of the contract, totaling $15,000 per employee. Textron said employees can choose to have that lump sum added to their paychecks, or put into their retirement plans or Health Savings Accounts.
• Cost of living adjustment maximum that more than doubled from $700 to $1,500 per year,
• New longevity pay to recognize long-term employees,
• Caps on increases to annual health insurance premiums, and
• No premium increases from 2025 – 2029 to the company’s no deductible health plan with additional free services at one of the Plane Healthy Wellness Center and Pharmacy locations, effective Jan. 1:
  • Free primary care visits,
  • Free preventative care,
  • Free mental health care,
  • Free health coaching,
  • Free physical therapy,
  • Free labs and free X-rays.

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