Textron Aviation, Machinists ‘Far Apart’ In Labor Talks As Vote Nears

WICHITA—As negotiators enter the final stages of labor contract negotiations, Textron Aviation workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers rallied in downtown Wichita in a show of solidarity Sept. 17, blowing whistles and carrying signs that read “We Will Strike for Better Healthcare,” “Fair ETO For Fair Work” and “Proud to be Union.” 

Machinist union members of Local Lodge #774 vote Saturday, Sept. 21, on whether to accept Textron Aviation’s upcoming final offer of a new labor contract or reject it and strike. 

“We’ve had four years of profits on Textron’s side. It’s your turn,” Lisa Whitley, IAM directing business representative of District Lodge 70, told the crowd. “Show me the money. Show me the benefits. You’ve got the best-skilled labor in the world right here in the [Air] Capital…. I’m here to back you guys, no matter which way you go. You want a fair, equitable contract, and if they’re not willing to give it to you, then you strike. You don’t like it, you strike.” 

The current four-year contract expires at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22. Negotiations began Aug. 12. The union represents about 5,000 workers at Textron Aviation. Members will vote on whether to accept the company’s contract offer and then whether to strike should it be rejected. 

Accepting or rejecting the contract offer takes a simple majority of the votes, while ratifying a strike requires two-thirds approval. Should members reject the contract but not have enough votes to strike, the contract is accepted by default. 

Union negotiators prepared for contract talks for four months, Whitley told those gathered at the rally. “They’ve been working all this month, going back and forth with this company dragging their feet all month—still don’t have a final offer. That’s why you’re showing up here today to tell me that you mean business.” 

So far, union leaders called the company’s “second pass” of an offer “disappointing,” saying that the two sides remain far apart on issues that must be addressed. Textron Aviation’s counterproposal of economic issues is also disappointing, they said in an update on the union’s website. 

“It’s time to get noisy and let the company know we deserve legendary wages and benefits for the legendary planes we continue to produce,” the union said. In Wichita in June 2023, 6,000 Machinists at Spirit AeroSystems walked off the job on strike after rejecting the company’s offer. The work stoppage lasted six days. 

Union members at Textron Aviation held the rally at Naftzger Park in downtown Wichita near the hotel where company and union officials are conducting the negotiations. After the rally, the group marched down the sidewalk to the hotel blowing whistles and fog horns. 

A final offer is forthcoming, a company spokesperson says. For its part, “Textron Aviation has been negotiating and engaging in collaborative conversations with the Union negotiating committee and will present its best and final offer soon,” the spokesperson said. “After the best and final offer is presented, details will be shared with our employees prior to the vote on Saturday, September 21. Important information and updates about the contract negotiations will be posted to negotiations.txtav.com.” 

Gary Barnes, a machine operator, has been with the company’s Beechcraft site in east Wichita for 35 years. Barnes took part when the union struck Hawker Beechcraft in 2008. The work stoppage lasted for 25 days. That was the last time union members at Beechcraft or Cessna Aircraft, now together at Textron Aviation, went on strike. 

Today, “people are anxious,” Barnes says. “There’s quite a few young people they’ve hired in the last year or so. They’re very anxious.” And they’re willing to strike, he says. 

“It’s not a game for us,” Barnes says. “We don’t hire on for a couple of years and then go somewhere else. We’re there for years. We’re trying to survive. The cost of everything keeps going up. Aircraft used to be a really good job. You hire on there and you were good. It’s changed.” 

Textron Aviation has a $7 billion backlog, he says. “They love to tell us that. If that’s the case, they don’t want us to go on strike.” 

Rhonda Clore, who works on Citation jet interiors, is a 26-year employee. For her, the main issues are retirement, wages and health insurance. “We’ll see what happens,” Clore says.