WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Textron Aviation has presented the Machinists union with a new contract offer, more than three weeks after union members rejected the company’s “best and final” offer. Union members have been on strike outside Wichita’s Textron Aviation plants since Sept. 23.
The new offer is for a 31% general wage increase over five years instead of the previous offer’s 26% increase over four years.
The company and the union returned to negotiations last week. Union leaders said they gave the company their demands based on a survey after the Sept. 23 rejection vote.
This week, Textron Aviation presented its newest offer to the union.
“In returning to the table, the company responded to the negotiating committee’s request for an extended contract duration by adding an additional year of General Wage Increase (GWI) to provide stability to our employees, their families and our community,” the company said in a news release.
The company said these are some of the contract highlights:
- A five-year contract that brings the total proposed general wage increase to 31% during the five-year term,
- A guaranteed $3,000 lump sum payment each year of the contract, totaling $15,000 per employee,
- 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.
The Machinists Union has a five-page version of the offer that summarizes the contract details. KSN News has contacted the union to ask for its reaction to the offer, but we have not heard back yet.
The union says the complete document of all the changes will be available at the ratification meeting. Once the details for the meeting are finalized, the union will notify members.
Textron Aviation expects the union to vote this weekend. In the meantime, the strike continues.
“We value our Textron Aviation team and remain committed to signing an agreement that recognizes our employees’ contributions and sets us all up for long-term success,” said Todd McKee, senior vice president of Integrated Supply Chain. “We encourage all eligible bargained employees to vote, ensuring each individual has a voice in their future.”
