Keep up to date with the latest developments by following these links:

Local Lodge 727-P

Local Lodge 2228

IAM Coordinated Bargaining Website

Negotiations Update Flyers will be circulated in the plant on Tuesday 2/22, Thursday 2/24 and Tuesday 3/1/2011

Lockheed Negotiations Update
Wednesday March 12 2011

The Company Delivers Their Last, Best and Final Offer

Late this evening Lockheed Martin management delivered what they presented as their last, best, and final offer. After carefully reviewing this offer, all three of your Union Committees unanimously told management they would recommend rejection of the company’s substandard offer, and would be recommending Strike Authorization.

Company scripted spokesperson’s made claims that their offer was one of the best and riches offers they have ever presented, given the times we are in. This settlement is far from the best or riches proposal negotiated by your Union. The company’s offer is far less rich than the past 3 (2002 – 2005 – 2008) collective bargaining agreements. The General Wage Increases are far less than the past 3 Contracts – The company pension offer punishes New and Rehired employees –  while at the same time the company is putting the savings in their pockets, rather than using that savings to increase your pension benefits beyond the increase offered 3 years ago.

The 2011 company proposal unlike the past three Union negotiated proposals, limits Health Plan options, while increasing the burden of the employee’s share of medical premiums. In addition, the new LM HealthWorks medical plan raises employee co-pays and deductibles.

The company offer has ignored any correction of the Two Tier wage differentials’ that almost 50% of members now work under. This is not rich, it is unjust.

The company offer to deny new hires and rehires a defined pension plan that has been in effect since 1956, is calculated to save the company about 83% of pension obligations for these members – Where will the saving be placed – Once again, In the company’s pocket. 

The above clarification of the company’s proposal, are just some of the more glaring take aways in the company’s 2011 proposal. DON’T BE FOOLED – Fully review the facts.

This proposal will be put to a Membership Vote, on Sunday, March 6, 2011. It is time to stand up together, and fight to protect our hard won benefits.

Lockheed Negotiations Update
Wednesday March 12 2011

Company Submits Last Best and Final Offers

The company has submitted and we have posted last, best, and final offers. Click here to go to the document page. If you are having trouble with the documents menu there is a link located directly above the documents menu to launch a new page.

Lockheed Negotiations Update
Tuesday March 1, 2011

The Time Draws Near and Still No Meeting of the Minds

Tuesday, March 1, 2011: Today your Negotiating Committees’ presented Lockheed Martin management with the third Union economic counter proposal. Your committee went over the proposal to point out the differences and answer any management questions. The company left, and within a thirty minute period requested the Union Committee’s at all sites return to the bargaining table. We were hopeful that this short real time return meant a breakthrough was possible. Unfortunately, all your committee’s heard was how disappointed the company was regarding your proposal. It goes without saying that all 3 of your committees returned the favor as we explained the serious problems with the company’s position and proposals.

The company has told your committees that their decision to adversely affect medical plans and then eliminate portions of the defined pension plan, is just good business!

Wednesday is anticipated to be a long 24 hours. As soon as we have the Last, Best and Final company proposal we will begin distribution of the proposal.

Lockheed Negotiations Update
Tuesday March 1, 2011

Lockheed Martin Now Wants You To Provide The Talent And The Rewards

Monday, February 28, 2011: Today, when your negotiating committees’ met with management, it was our sincere expectation that they would have intelligently re-calculated their last position regarding health care and pension.

Instead, it was more of the same and worse. It is transparent, the company has decided to use a divide and conquer strategy. The company’s latest economic proposal attempts to split the East Coast from the West.As you examine the last company offer, you will note that management appears to be offering to maintain a second HMO option (Kaiser) at both Palmdale and Sunnyvale, while offering only one medical plan (LM HealthWorks) to our Sisters and Brothers in Marietta, which will include their offsite location as well. HOWEVER, PALMDALE AND SUNNYVALE BEWARE!

The continuation of the Kaiser HMO for Palmdale and Sunnyvale bargaining units is only guaranteed thru 2011, if you are already in Kaiser – And after the 12/31/2011 date passes, this option would only be available until the company forces all salaried employees into the LM HealthWorks. At this point there would only be LM HealthWorks.

NOW WHO WANTS ALL THE REWARDS?

In addition to freezing the base pay rates at the Eastern Range (ER) the company is also attempting to take away the Sunnyvale / Santa Cruz labor grade premiums that have been in place since 2002. This freeze in GWI’s at the eastern range, and deletion of the Sunnyvale premium, coupled with the different option concerning medical plans, except Marietta, is another example of divide and conquer.

Some of our Union Members may have been born in the morning, but it was not this morning. As time draws near all bargaining unit sites are gearing up and putting the final touches on preparation to defend your hard won rights and benefits.

You will also note that the company has not yet corrected their misguided attempts to take the define pension plan away from New Hires and REHIRES! This will mean that no bargaining unit member currently in the defined pension plan should plan to leave your current location. If you do you may join the ranks of new hires with no defined pension.

It is time for all members to let the company know that an injury to one will sooner or later become an injury to all and this is unacceptable. 

Lockheed Negotiations Update
Tuesday March 1, 2011

New company documents added to the documents section of the site.  Click here to go to the document page.  If you are having trouble with the documents menu there is a link located directly above the documents menu to launch a new page.

Lockheed Negotiations Update
Tuesday March 1, 2011

BROTHERS AND SISTERS:

Today started off with all 3 Committee’s meeting with the intent to lay out our battle plan once the Company had handed its Counter Proposals to the 3 groups.  The absolute conclusion was that we are all standing  United on the Fight against the Company’s desire to drop the CURRENT HEALTH PLANS as well as ELIMINATING PENSION FOR NEW HIRES.  Aerospace Coordinator John Crowdiss has emphasizedthe necessity for, not only this Coordinated Bargaining Committee, but the entire IAM Membership at Marietta, Sunnyvale and Palmdale to be prepared to take on this fight!  That soon we would find what course & direction the Company intends on staying on.  A direction that we will either willingly accept, or at the very least, we’ll earn our name as The Fighting Machinist’s!!  It was also emphasized that as a whole, that if we were to permit the erosion of our Defined Benefit Plans as it currently exists, that this erosion will most certainly CONTINUE COME FOLLOW UP CONTRACTS!! We must keep this  foremost in our mind when any ratification vote comes into play.

Come 10:00 this morning, we were given the answer as to the course the Company was planning on keeping!  That course includes:  TAKING AWAY THE DEFINED PENSION PLAN FOR NEW HIRES, SUCH AS CURRENTLY EXISTS FOR BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS!!!!  IT ALSO INCLUDES THE “KAISER OPTION”, WHICH WOULD BE IN AFFECT “FOR SO LONG THAT THE PLAN IS OFFERED TO NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES”!!!!!    Simply putting it:  AS SOON AS THEY TAKE IT AWAY FROM SALARY, IT WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM ALL!!! Also, SHOULD Kaiser remain as an option beyond Dec 31^st, 2011, the premium costs would be shared 80% by the Company, 20% by the employee!!   Remember to, this LMUn-Healthworks Plan WILL ALSO APPLY to Retiree’s!!!!

Yes, the Company is attempting to buy their way into this contract, though lame at best.  The Retirement multiplier goes up to $84.00, but remember this, LM Un-Healthworks will take a rather large chunk of that retirement multiplier increase!!!  A DEAL IT IS NOT!!!

GWI on this current Proposal is a rather minimal 2, 2 & 2%.  CERTAINLY NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH TO COME CLOSE TO COMPENSATING FOR THE COST INVOLVEMENT WITH LM Un-Healthworks!!  Your Bargaining Committees proposal equates to  6, 5 & 4%.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!  Thus far the Company has simply not given us anything that we can recommend to you for ratification!!!  It only remains to be seen as to what we will get in return come tomorrow after we hand them our latest counter.  It simply appears that Lockheed could care less about its Bargaining Unit Members!!  Through the years, this select group of employees have contributed to the financial rewards reaped by the Company, and for that, they are offering the type of wage and benefits as noted above!  It will be up to these 3 groups of employees; Palmdale, Sunnyvale & Marietta, to decide not only what is acceptable to them, but what WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW UP BEHIND US!!!!!!!  Remember that should we allow this SNOWBALL TO BEGIN ROLLING, it will only pick up speed and increase in size!!  It started with the loss of New Hire Retiree Medical Benefits, and the Company is only hoping that the SNOWBALL DOES IN FACT CONTINUE TO GROW, AND PICK UP MACH SPEED!!!   WE CAN NOT, I REPEAT, CAN NOT PERMIT THIS TO HAPPEN IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM!!! IT IS ABSOLUTELY TIME TO TAKE THAT STAND SUCH AS THE SPARTANS!!!!!

Brothers and Sisters:  Word has it that our membership can not find the Internationals dedicated web site for our cause.  Here are the Web locations for the International, Local 2228 in Sunnyvale, and Local 709 in Marietta

The Internationals Site: http://www.goiam.org/iamready

Local Lodge 2228, Sunnyvale: http://iamll2228.org or in search put:  iamll2228.org

Local Lodge 709, Marietta: http://local709.org or in search put either Local Lodge 709 or Local 709.org

IN SOLIDARITY;

                                YOUR COORDINATED BARGAINING COMMITTEE

Lockheed Negotiations Update - Latest Video  
Monday February 28, 2011

With a relationship spanning nearly eight decades, the Machinists are loyal to Lockheed Martin and the work that is done to protect this nation.

Lockheed Negotiations Update  
Sunday February 27, 2011

LOCKHEED MARTIN ASKS YOU TO FORGET THE PAST

Based on Saturday’s all day session negotiations that lead late into the evening, Lockheed Martin management believe our membership should set aside our concerns about company proposals as Lockheed Martin demands you accept less. And this is while they pay out over $200,000,000.00 to their top executives for doing no more than leaving! Maybe the company is assuming our membership didn’t realize all of the departing executives already had a much more lucrative retirement packages than our members. Lockheed Martin management, as they continue to insist on returning our membership to the past when we had a single provider insurance plan, have failed to remember that in the past the plan we had enjoyed contained far better benefits than the LM HealthWorks plan being offered now. Additionally, it appears management also hopes we will forget that in the past the plan was negotiated FREE of premium sharing by our members!

The company continues to deny new employees (our future members) and rehired employees (which may be our current and/or former members) the right to participate in the defined pension plan. First they take theirs, and long term, they take ours!

Instead of recognizing our members years of hard work and dedication, management would prefer to revert back to days where we had to constantly fight their attempts to offer different wage packages for different sites.

For example, as we write this update, Lockheed Martin management is attempting to separate groups by excluding the our membership working at the Eastern Range, from receiving any General Wage Increases (GWIs) during the life of the new agreement. We stopped this singling out of groups after the 1996 negotiation cycle. WHO WILL BE NEXT? The insanity demonstrated by management concerning competitors appears to no bounds. Now they are trying to use other Lockheed Martin divisions/companies to claim as their competitors.

Management still continues to exhibit the type of arrogance at the bargaining table that implies they know what’s best for our membership. NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT HURTS.

Our negotiating committees are continuing to combat management to put forth your proposals. It is time for management to remember negotiations are like an hour glass. In the beginning it appears the sand will never pass through the hole, and as time runs short, it appears the grains are passing through at light speed! And time for the company to correct their positions is certainly running short.

Your Negotiating Committees continue the struggle and we continue to appreciate our Membership’s support demonstrated during these important times.

Remember: As in the famous words of Benjamin Franklin: "It is the time for us all to hang together, or certainly, we will all hang separately."

Lockheed Negotiations Update  
Saturday February 26, 2011

Lockheed Martin Does Not Understand True Respect

The definition of “Respect” is; holding one in high regard and/or high esteem.  (Source: Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.)  Lockheed Martin has certainly lost sight of this meaning when it comes to providing the REWARDS they promised.Today your Union Negotiating Committees’ presented a counter proposal to Lockheed Martin management at all three bargaining tables Friday. Prior to the presentations your Union unequivocally informed the company the IAM Membership has made it clear that offering a substandard medical plan and attempting to weaken pension benefits is unacceptable.

[As stated by IAM International President, Tom Buffenbarger at our opening session with Lockheed Martin, “We are moving forward, not backwards.”]

Unfortunately, Lockheed Martin management continues to behave as if your message is falling on deaf ears. Your committees’ will continue to educate the company until they hear your voices.

Your Union has notified the company that we plan to work over the weekend and through the date scheduled for conclusion of negotiations.

The complete Union Economic Proposal presented Friday has been uploaded earlier to this website. Please take the time to review the difference between the two party’s proposals. Click here to view the documents page of the Coordinated Bargaining Committee website.

Click here to see the 2nd Palmdale Economic Proposal.

Click here to see the 2nd Sunnyvale Economic Proposal.

Lockheed Negotiations Update  
Saturday February 26, 2011

It Is An Unfortunate Fact That We Can Secure Peace Only By Preparing For War

“IT IS AN UNFORTUNATE FACT THAT WE CAN SECURE PEACE ONLY BY PREPARING FOR WAR.” – John F. Kennedy

Wise words in the most trying of times. Somehow these words have far more meaning in the environment we currently find ourselves in during these negotiations. There is a distinct portent emanating from the company’s side of the table that our membership is not prepared to take whatever actions may be necessary to protect our Union’s “investments” secured from past negotiations with Lockheed Martin; that our membership is not prepared to take whatever actions may be necessary to provide a comparably “competitive” collective bargaining agreement that considers ALL of the provisions and not just “cherry pick” the ones we like; and that our membership is not prepared to take whatever actions may be necessary to have a “forward looking business plan” that will secure the future of our members and their Union. From time to time it appears there is far more concern for the company’s future business without equating the impact on our membership’s future and our future membership. Your Union committees are here striving for a round of good faith bargaining with the intent of returning back to all of the individual sites with a contract that addresses the needs of our membership as put forth to your committees through your surveys and your voices from the shop floor to the floors of your Union Halls. Your committees did not come to these negotiations to initiate a dispute with Lockheed Martin. To the contrary, we want a contract. But to make ourselves clear; we want a fair and equitable contract. Not a contract that is viewed as fair and equitable by Lockheed Martin, but a contract that is viewed in that same light by our membership.

Lockheed Martin should not be proposing concessions just because of “the economic environment that surrounds us today”. If Lockheed Martin was losing money we would view these concessionary proposals in an entirely different light. Such is not the case here; Lockheed Martin has made a substantial profit over the past few years on the work our membership performs and our members deserve a share of those profits to be provided in our agreements. And just because some other “competitor company” did something at their company doesn’t mean we have to agree to do it at Lockheed Martin. We are here to march forward, not fall back!

Your committees are continuing to put forth your proposals at the bargaining table with the intent to reach a fair and equitable agreement for our membership and will do so until we conclude these negotiations. We stand on the strength and unity of our membership and what your committees bring back to you as Lockheed Martin’s offer of a collective bargaining agreement will likely be structured on what Lockheed Martin believes to be the resolve of our strength and unity. Be strong; be unified; and most of all, be prepared.

Click here for a PDF Version of this update.

Additional Union Proposals Added

Friday February 25, 2011

Good Afternoon,

New union proposals have been posted for each respective location. Click here to go to the document page.  If you are having trouble with the documents menu there is a link located directly above the documents menu to launch a new page.

Lockheed Negotiations Update - Latest Video  
Friday February 25, 2011

The IAM and Lockheed Martin's relationship date back to the 1930s. Since then the two organizations have demonstrated to the world, that they know how to ensure progress at the bargaining table.

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr3glfyE-N4

Lockheed Negotiations Update #4  
Friday February 25, 2011

THEY CAME LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT

THE COMPANY GIVETH IN ONE HAND AND TAKETH MORE FROM THE OTHER

Lockheed Martin Management presented their economic proposal today to all three Union Negotiating Committees’. As you will see by the posting of the company proposals, management has decided to make a substandard offer to the very Members that have built the company into the premier defense contract in the world – This substandard offer was made while the company was attempting to take away traditional medical options, and replace them with single plan that would saddle our membership with more escalating cost. [In this case you do not have to worry about reading the fine print. The short falls of the LM HealthWorks plan are very visible.

While your Union Committees are fighting hard to recover from the 1993 two tier wage system – the company is demanding that all Union Members agree to take away the defined pension from new hires and re-hires, and replace the pension plan with a savings plan worth less than 10% of current value. At this rate, how long will it be before management comes after your pension?

It is obvious that at least through today, Lockheed Martin management believes you will sell out your future and/or returning Sisters and Brothers, for far less than 20 pieces of silver. If not, then why is management starting off by offering 1.5% General Wage Increases (GWIs) while providing upper managers more than $200,000,000.00 in extra compensation, when they are leaving and retiring early?

(Remember the story of the uninvolved citizen – First they came for my neighbor to my right, and I did nothing – Second they came after my neighbor to my left, and I did nothing – Finally they came for me, and there was no one to save me.)

DON’T BE THE MEMBER THAT DOES NOTHING – GET INVOLVED AND STAY INVOLVED- BEFORE THEY COME AFTER ALL OF US!

Lockheed Negotiations Update
Friday February 25, 2011

Additional Company Documents have been added to the Coordinated Bargaining Committee website. Click here read keep up to date with the latest from the bargaining table.

Company Proposals

The following are links to pdf copies of Lockheed's proposals to your negotiating committees:

Lockheed Negotiations Update - Latest Video  
Thursday February 24, 2011

Retirement is about dignity and respect. And after years and in most cases decades of service, the Machinists working for Lockheed Martin want to know that the company appreciates their contribution to the defense industry.

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX64HA-GNh0

Lockheed Negotiations Update
Thursday February 24, 2011

Your Coordinated Bargaining Committee has received Lockheed Martin’s presentations on their LM HealthWorks Plan and their Hourly Capital Accumulation Plan (HCAP). We have posted these presentations to our web site just as they were provided to us, with all the glimmer and gloss. But once we had the opportunity to have our researchers evaluate the glitzy presentations, the harsh realities of what Lockheed Martin is attempting to do becomes painfully obvious. Far too painful!  This is what lies beneath all of the ornamental foliage. Let’s do a little comparison between our current medical plans and what Lockheed Martin’s HealthWorks Plan would reflect:

- The vast majority of our membership is currently enrolled in Medical Plans that do not require the employee to pay any Deductibles, Co-Insurance, or Out-of-Pocket Maximums. Instead the Employee is only required to pay very small co-pays when they go to the doctor.

 

- Under the Company’s current proposal, an employee with family coverage who uses their insurance plan would have to pay a $2,000 annual deductible and $3,000 in Out-of-Pocket expenses per year for In-Network Care.  This is an additional $15,000 over the course of the three year contract and is equal to 8.5% of the average employee’s total salary.

 

- Under the Company’s current proposal, an employee with single coverage who uses their insurance plan would have to pay a $650 annual deductible and $1,500 in Out-of-Pocket expenses per year for In-Network Care.  This is an additional $6,450 over the course of the three year contract and is equal to almost 4% of the average employee’s total salary.

 

- If the Employee uses Out-of-Network providers the situation is even worse.  An employee with family coverage would pay an additional $43,500 over the course of a three year contract, and an employee with single coverage would pay an additional $19,500.

 

- In addition to these added expenses, the employee will pay up to $25 for Generic drugs, $75 for Preferred Brand drugs, and up to $175 for Non-preferred Brand drugs.

Not as pretty a picture as the presentation would have you believe. And if you don’t like that one, let’s take a look at what Lockheed Martin has planned for our future members:

Company HCAP Proposal vs. Defined Benefit Pension Plan

In their HCAP Proposal, Lockheed Martin is offering a contribution of $225 per quarter.  Let’s assume that this contribution will increase by 10% each contract cycle (every 3 years) and that the invested money will earn a solid return of 7% per year.

Let's compare this to the current pension plan with a benefit of $77 per month per year of service.  Let’s assume (as we did with the HCAP) that the benefit will increase by 10% each contract cycle (every 3 years).

- An employee who works for 10 years under the current defined benefit pension plan would receive at age 65, $1,127 per month for the rest of their life.  The same employee under the HCAP would only have enough money in their account to buy an annuity which would pay them $362 per month for the rest of their life.    

- An employee who works for 15 years under the current defined benefit pension plan would receive at age 65, $1,860 per month for the rest of their life.  The same employee under the HCAP would only have enough money in their account to buy an annuity which would pay them $497 per month for the rest of their life.    

- An employee who works for 30 years under the current defined benefit pension plan would receive at age 65, $5,991 per month for the rest of their life.  The same employee under the HCAP would only have enough money in their account to buy an annuity which would pay them $780 per month for the rest of their life.

Let us not fall prey to the claims these concessions do not affect any of our present members AGAIN!  As we have already experienced, almost 60% of our CURRENT membership for these negotiations are in a lower wage tier because “it won’t affect anyone that’s here now” and over a third of our CURRENT membership for these negotiations have no early retirement medical insurance because “it won’t affect anyone that’s here now”!

We are not dealing with the “unborn” or “unknown” future employees on these proposals. We are dealing with our FUTURE MEMBERSHIP! These future members are who we all were in the past; many are our children and grandchildren. We all need to remember that. 

IAM READY  -  RU?

Lockheed Negotiations Update #3  
Thursday February 24, 2011

THE STORM IS NO LONGER BREWING; IT HAS ARRIVED

Thanks to the persistence of your Union Negotiating Committees, today Lockheed Martin management finally made presentations to all three Union committees regarding the company’s radical changes to your defined pension plan, as well as their intention to go with one medical plan called “LM HealthWorks (PPO).The company’s defined pension presentation eliminates all New Hires and Re-Hires from the pension plan effective March 6, 2011. In addition, the pension presentation showed no additional pension increase for current members.

In addition your Union negotiating committees’ were presented with a preview of the company’s plan to eliminate all existing PPO and HMO (including Kaiser) and establish a single health plan that will include large deductibles, as well as dramatic increases in co-pays for prescription medication.

IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE 1993 (2) TIER WAGE IMPLEMENTATION AND THE 2005 LOSS OF NEW HIRE EARLY RETIREE MEDICAL COVERAGE, IT IS!
 
Your Union Negotiating Committees’ are expecting the company’s official pension and medical plan proposals tomorrow, and will post these plans in their entirety as soon as received.

THE STORM IS HERE - Now is the time to be prepared to defend our hard fought for Benefits, and Contractual Rights!

Lockheed Negotiations Update - Latest Video  
Wednesday February 23, 2011

Health Care isn't just about the members, it's about taking care of the family.  View the video below or on the video link below:

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUxI6W9YErw

TO OUR MEMBERS WORKING FOR LOCKHEED MARTIN IN PALMDALE CA, SUNNYVALE CA, AND MARIETTA GA AND THEIR RELATED FACILITIES IN SANTA CRUZ CA, VANDENBURG AFB, CA CAPE CANAVERAL FL, CLARKSBURG WV, AND MERIDIAN MS

When is “enough” enough? When do we say “NO MORE”?

Your Coordinated Bargaining Committee has entered into negotiations with Lockheed Martin on the issues you brought forth to them by your survey answers. Our committees have presented these issues to Lockheed Martin both locally and at our coordinated bargaining sessions.

While there has been extensive discussion on non-economic issues presented by both parties, there has been no too little response to economic proposals submitted by your representatives.

What has occurred though is a clear indication via remarks made by representatives of Lockheed Martin during the opening session of our coordinated bargaining that Lockheed Martin is highly likely to propose LM HealthWorks to become a new single provider plan which will replace all of our current healthcare plans. Additionally, there was distinct suggestion that Lockheed Martin also may be planning to propose the elimination of pension benefits for all future employees.

Although repeatedly requested by your Negotiating Committees, Lockheed Martin has yet to provide your Union committees with official written or verbal proposals addressing these or any other of the economic proposals submitted to them last Monday afternoon. As soon as Lockheed Martin officially responds to our proposals on these matters and makes any Company proposals addressing these issues, your Coordinated Bargaining Committee will ensure that our members are informed of these issues.

Let us be clear. Your committees unanimously agree that higher deductibles and higher co-pays to our insurance plans constitute a take away and, like a reduction of medical plan choices are both unreasonable and unwarranted.

Additionally, your committees are unequivocally prepared to protect our Union’s members, both current and future, pension. Our former members receiving retirement benefits have begun to struggle in today’s economy and this highlights the need of more, not less, protection for our future pensioners!

The degradation of our negotiated wages and benefits must stop! Consider the history of allowing such errors to continue.

COLA: (In March 1993, the COLA formula was changed to make the COLA 3 times less lucrative to the employee than it was in the past.)

Wage Tiers: (Employees hired after June 14, 1993 were put on a lower Tier Wage Scale.)  

ALL SITES

- Tier 1 GPR (Higher Paid) = 42% (2,424 Employees)

- Tier 2 Non-GPR (Lower Paid) = 58% (3,359 Employees)

Currently:

 

ALL SITES

- Eligible for Retiree Insurance = 65% (3,732 Employees)

- NOT Eligible for Retiree Insurance = 35% (2,051 Employees)

Coordinated Bargaining Committee Negotiations Update #2

Wednesday February 23, 2011

LOCKHEED MARTIN CONTINUES STALL TACTICS!
                                              
Brothers and Sisters,
 
Lockheed Martin Management has refused to begin negotiations / discussions regarding the economic proposals. Nor at this point will they give your negotiating committees’ a date they plan to do so. Management knows that your negotiating committees intend to post the company’s economic proposals as soon as they are received. The lack of effort by the company leads your Union Committees to believe that the company intends to attack your medical benefits, pension benefits, as well as any wage increases.

Your coordinated bargaining committee met with Lockheed-Martin management this morning. Discussions in some of the meeting rooms were intense and repetitive. When asked this morning about a company response to your Union’s economic proposal, Lockheed Martin management stated the Union’s proposal was lucrative, excessive and unrealistic and would not respond at this time.

Lockheed-Martin insisted to spend more time on non-economics instead of focusing on pensions, health care and wages.

Some progress has been made in resolving some non-economic issues; however, once again, the company has not made a formal proposal. Your Union eventually expressed to the company that we would not be willing to discuss any more non-economics unless they would provide us with a date & time that they would submit their proposal to your Union for consideration.

The company strategy appears to be one of dragging out negotiations, in an attempt to test OUR / YOUR RESOLVE!!!

We will continue to negotiate in good faith with Lockheed-Martin management, and continue in an effort to bring a fair and equitable contract to you, the membership.

We will continue to keep you updated as things change.

Your Update Committee,

Alan Kaliff       LL727P   Palmdale
Ray Dempsey   LL709     Marietta
Kevin Lee        LL2228   Sunnyvale

"All That Harms Labor Is Treason To America" --- Abraham Lincoln

Kevin Lee – Sunnyvale LL2228

Lockheed Negotiations Update  
Monday February 21, 2011

The Union negotiating committees from Sunnyvale, CA, Palmdale, CA, Marietta, GA, and the many satellite locations came together with one voice to begin our Economic Negotiation with Lockheed Martin. In demonstration of the importance of these negotiations, IAM International President, Tom Buffenbarger was the first Union leader to address the concerns of our Members across the bargaining table with top executives of Lockheed Martin. Brother Buffenbarger stressed the importance of moving our members forward, not backwards.

Also present for the opening day was Western Territory General Vice President, Gary Allen, Southern Territory General Vice President, Bob Martinez, and Headquarters General Vice President, Rich Michalski. All of these IAM Executive officers echoed the importance of fairly rewarding our members for all the hard work and dedication they demonstrate each day.

GVP, Gary Allen warned Lockheed Martin management that it is dangerous to over reach what they may desire, by using current economic conditions as leverage to promote issues that our members will not approve. Brother Allen stated that our members are expecting a recommendation that they can approve, however, he made it clear that the membership will take appropriate action if a substandard offer is delivered.

Lockheed Martin Management responded that they want a fair and competitive settlement, and then went directly to their intention to find ways to save on their cost of medical and pension expenses. Though we have not yet received the company’s proposal regarding our medical plans and/or our pension benefits.

However, the company did nothing during negotiations today to deny their intent to negatively change our medical and/or pension benefits. This appears to be a clear signal from management that believe our members will accept changes that if established could have the following effect:

The membership may ask, what type of effect would the above mentioned medical and/or pension changes look like if we clearly understand the company’s rhetoric? The talking points below stress the direction the company intends to take regarding medical and pension plans during these negotiations:

Company Take Aways In Medical:

- The Elimination of Kaiser and other plans and moving backwards into a single medical plan

- More out of pocket expenses to the membership in the form of high deductibles

- Higher weekly deductions from your paycheck

- Higher pharmaceutical costs to members

- A reduction in satisfaction and the quality of care

- Confidentiality issues stemming from a company provided medical plan

- Elimination of the defined benefit pension plan for new hires

- Creates dissention in the rank and file

- Does not guarantee benefits for those members post-retirement

Lockheed Martin made $ 4.5 BILLION in NET PROFITS year end 2009.

They have the money to spend on the most highly trained and skilled workforce in the industry. They cannot replace us easily or overnight. We will have to show them that we will not give up rights and privileges which we rightly deserve. Remember the earlier “feel good” statement the company made during their first propaganda letter sent to all members. “You provide the talent, Lockheed Martin provides the rewards.” It is time for the company to deliver the REWARDS. Our members already provide the TALENT.

The tone of these negotiations is about the future of our members, our retirees, and this great union. We will need you all, brother and sister to stand in solidarity and let this company know that take aways are not an option.

Mandatory Stewards meeting on Thursday 24, 8:00 am at the union hall with GVP Gary Allen

Stewards will be called out with lost time paid by the district. All Stewards MUST attend this special meeting.

In solidarity,

Your IAM Negotiating Committee