Always good to hear that folks can come together after having agreed upon an issue that initially had them on opposite sides. And so it is as members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) have accepted United Launch Alliance's new four-year contract offer and will return to work after being on strike since May 7.
The new contract covers 600 bargaining unit employees from District Lodges #75 and #166, which includes Locals #44, #610 and #2786 performing work on the Atlas V, Delta II, Delta IV and Vulcan Centaur product lines at both East and West Coast ULA launch sites and Decatur, Alabama, manufacturing facility. The contract becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on May 7.
Negotiations on the new contract officially started April 16 and ended April 26. On May 6 the ratification vote was held in all geographical locations covered by this contract and the employees voted to go on strike. Following meetings on May 15 and 16, union negotiators recommended the new contract and Saturday members voted to accept the new contract.
Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO said that they are pleased that the IAM represented employees that have ratified this agreement that is so critical to continuing ULA’s success. The represented employees’ contributions have propelled ULA forward in delivering critical capabilities for the nation and their customers. Their employees build the best, most reliable rockets flying today and the missions they launch saves lives, explores the universe, connects the world and helps humankind unlock its potential in space.
Bruno continued that they believe this contract will help secure their place as the go-to provider for launching people and one-of-a-kind payloads into space well into the future. They are excited and proud to work alongside an engaged team that is setting the standard for innovation and excellence in the space industry.
United Launch Alliance has more than a century of combined heritage and their reliable launch service has successfully delivered more than 125 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of the solar system.
