The Collins Aerospace strike has been a significant development in the aerospace industry.
The lockout began on April 13, 2023, after the company and the union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.
The union had been pushing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, but Collins Aerospace was unwilling to budge, leading to the lockout.
The lockout has affected over 4,800 workers, who have been forced to stay home without pay.
Lockout Details
The lockout at Collins Aerospace is a complex situation, but let's break down the details.
Approximately 250 workers were locked out of their jobs at the Collins Aerospace facility in Union on Monday, May 23, 2022.
This is not a strike, but rather a lockout, where the company has refused to allow workers to return to their jobs while negotiations continue.
The lockout was in response to the workers' decision to reject Collins Aerospace's last contract offer, which was presented on February 16, 2022.
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Workers have been demonstrating outside the Collins Aerospace campus, alongside US Rt. 219, and have stated they are willing to work while a contract is negotiated.
The company claims that they offered employees a fair package, including wage increases, lower healthcare premiums, and additional sick leave, but the union disputes this.
Collins Aerospace has a structure in place to continue operations, but the lockout has sent nearly 300 employees to the picket lines in Troy.
The lockout is ongoing, with no word on when contract negotiations might resume, and workers are faring well, thanks to the support of the community.
The company's statement that they are trying to reach an agreement that recognizes and rewards employees' contributions while remaining competitive seems to be at odds with the workers' experiences.
The union has been clear that they want to go back to work and negotiate a fair contract, but the company's actions suggest otherwise.
Negotiations and Statements
The negotiations between Collins Aerospace and the United Steelworkers (USW) and United Auto Workers (UAW) have been ongoing, but with little progress.
The USW released a statement saying that approximately 250 members of Local 1449 were locked out of their jobs by management at Collins Aerospace after only two weeks of bargaining.
Collins Aerospace is trying to reach an agreement that recognizes and rewards employees' contributions while remaining competitive, according to a statement from the company.
However, workers like Clarence Jackson claim they got a very different message, saying that the company can replace them with a replacement crew.
The company says it is prepared to continue negotiating in good faith with the UAW and USW, but no progress has been made so far.
The lockout at the Collins Aerospace facility in Union is ongoing, with employees protesting outside and refusing to talk to the media on camera.
Workers are not on strike, but rather locked out of their jobs, and are not receiving paychecks or health insurance until a new contract is negotiated.
The UAW Local 128 President, Joe Konicki, said it's a huge surprise that the company would lock out employees after they voted against the company's last offer.
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