© 2024 KMUW
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Machinists Union Approves New Bombardier Contract

Andy Rusch
/
Flickr

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers approved a five-year contract deal with Bombardier Learjet in Wichita over the weekend.

Machinists Union spokesman Bob Wood said people will be returning to work at the Wichita plan Monday. Wood described Saturday's offering as a "substantial improvement" over the proposal that prompted the October 8 walkout.

The contract includes no wage increase the first year and a 1 percent wage bump the next four years. It also comes with a signing bonus of $2,500. Bombardier spokeswoman Peggy Gross said the new deal received about 70 percent support from the union members who voted Saturday.

The union, which represents about 825 workers, had recommended Friday that members support the contract. The agreement was reached Thursday with the help of federal mediators. 

Carla Eckels is Director of Organizational Culture at KMUW. She produces and hosts the R&B and gospel show Soulsations and brings stories of race and culture to The Range with the monthly segment In the Mix. Carla was inducted into The Kansas African American Museum's Trailblazers Hall of Fame in 2020 for her work in broadcast/journalism.