Approximately 317 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 850 in Oklahoma City have ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). The contract, which covers full-time, part-time, and casual Air Traffic Controller Instructors at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, was approved on August 19.
The agreement includes a 3% annual wage increase for each year of the contract. Members who live outside Oklahoma City will receive an additional $30 daily travel reimbursement to help offset commuting expenses. The contract also features enhanced incentives for working during federal holidays and peak periods, including increased daily bonuses for shifts worked between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Veterans Services protections are included in the agreement. These provisions grant IAM’s Veterans Services Department annual facility access to assist members with filing and managing VA claims. Other updates address key areas of the collective bargaining agreement.
Craig Martin, IAM Union Southern Territory General Vice President, stated, “This agreement is a major step forward for our members who dedicate themselves to training the next generation of air traffic controllers. We still have some work to do to help us recruit and retain instructors while improving quality of life for a workforce that has carried a heavy load to meet the mission.”
The IAM Union negotiating committee emphasized ongoing challenges related to recruitment and work-life balance. Many instructors regularly perform double shifts and workdays lasting up to 17 hours in order to meet Federal Aviation Administration training requirements.
Ben Moody, IAM Union District 171 President and Directing Business Representative, said, “Our members take tremendous pride in their work and in the critical role they play in our nation’s aviation safety. This contract recognizes that sacrifice and lays the foundation to ensure the FAA has the skilled instructors it needs for years to come.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members across industries such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, among others in North America.
