GE Aerospace workers in Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and New York have ratified a new four-year labor contract with GE Aerospace. This agreement follows the company’s division into three separate entities.
Jerry Carney, IUE-CWA Chief Negotiator and Chair of the General Electric Coordinated Bargaining Committee, highlighted key aspects of the contract. “After GE’s break up into three separate companies, this 4 year labor contract with GE Aerospace brings back stability to IUE-CWA families,” Carney stated. He noted that wage rates will increase by a compounded 16.9% over the life of the contract and are protected by added Cost of Living Adjustment language. The agreement also ensures that earnings outpace increased healthcare costs.
The contract maintains pension benefits for members nearing retirement and enhances 401k contributions for newer members without requiring their own contributions. Improvements in paid time off include immediate access to personal time for new hires and faster accrual of vacation days. Juneteenth has been added as a holiday, bereavement time has been improved, and parental bonding leave has been extended to six weeks at full pay within 12 months following birth or adoption.
Carney also emphasized the inclusion of a Successorship Clause to protect collectively bargained rights in case of further restructuring by GE Aerospace.
Carl Kennebrew, President of IUE-CWA, expressed optimism about the future relationship between the union and GE Aerospace. “IUE-CWA has been part of GE’s history for nearly a century, and we will be part of its future,” Kennebrew said. He underscored commitments made by GE Aerospace to invest in union plants and pledged solidarity with other manufacturing workers globally to raise standards together.
