Approximately 3,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) employed by McGee Air Services have ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. The vote took place on August 14 and covers workers in Seattle, Paine Field, Portland, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
The contract includes wage increases of at least 5.6% for all covered employees at every step and location. All active employees or those on leave as of the ratification date will receive a bonus based on their years of service. The agreement also introduces a minimum of four work shift bids per year, determined by seniority and with clear timelines.
Other changes include higher accrual rates for personal time off (PTO), allowing employees to reach the maximum rate after four years of service. Overtime protections are expanded, including mandatory overtime safeguards. The contract adds new language addressing uniform protections and personal protective equipment (PPE). No concessions or givebacks were made during negotiations.
“The IAM continues to negotiate industry-leading agreements that are fundamentally changing the landscape of the entire airline industry,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “By continuing to win contracts that push wages and job security to new heights, we are lifting every worker and community that makes the world move.”
“IAM members are the people who make McGee run every single day,” said IAM District 142 President and Directing General Chair John M. Coveny Jr. “This agreement is a testament to our negotiating committee and the dedication of our skilled membership.”
“Our members on the ground are part of the gears that keep McGee Air Services and their customers running at a high level,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “Alaska Airlines, McGee’s biggest customer, is consistently rated as one of the best in customer satisfaction, and the workers who make that happen deserve to be included in that success.”
“Every worker deserves to be compensated fairly for their labor. Our negotiating committee showed up ready to achieve the wage and benefit increases along with other premium increases that our members deserve – and they have delivered,” said Tom Regan, IAM Special Assistant to the International President. “These increases at McGee are great news for the entire airline ramp worker industry.”
The agreement will remain in effect until 2029.
