Members of IAM 774 in Wichita, KS voted over the weekend to reject Textron Aviation management’s offer and to go on strike. Similar to Boeing’s union leadership, IAM774’s leadership had recommended membership accept Textron’s offer. Management was offering a 26% wage increase over four years, annual lump sum payments over the same period, and other benefit increases. While union leadership cited ongoing job security and healthcare and other benefits, inflation of everyday goods and services seems to be a fundamental driver in the push for higher wage increases. While the impact to overall aerospace production value will likely be less than that of the Boeing work stoppage it will raise labor expense in the aerospace industry.
