Members of IAM Local 2771 (District 776) at M1 Support Services, located at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, ratified a new four-year contract on Mar. 31. The agreement covers about 550 workers and includes pay increases totaling more than 22%.
The contract is significant for the employees who support the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Program (ENJJPT), described as the only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program focused on producing combat pilots for NATO. Each year, approximately 200 pilots and 55 instructor pilots graduate from this intensive program.
“Our members wanted to keep up with the affordability crisis, and keep the contract language gains they have won over the years,” said IAM District 776 Chief of Staff Cory Bennett. “Our negotiating committee delivered for the members and we improved the contract language in key spots. That led to the strong ratification vote.”
The new agreement secures employee and family healthcare contributions and introduces stronger provisions regarding scope of work and work rules. Notably, it stipulates that IAM members will be compensated if management cancels overtime shifts after notifying employees.
“They deserve this strong contract that reflects the value of the work they do,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “Solidarity like this brings our members the job security needed for four more years of stability on this contract.”
IAM Local 2771 members are responsible for flight operations and maintenance on T-6 Texan and T-38 Talon aircraft as part of their role in training future NATO pilots—a mission central to both the United States Air Force’s 82nd Training Wing and its allied partners from fourteen NATO countries.
