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 covers full-time, part-time, and casual Air Traffic Controller Instructors at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.
The agreement was approved on August 19. It includes a 3% annual wage increase for each year of the contract, a $30 daily travel reimbursement increase for members who commute from outside Oklahoma City, and enhanced incentives for working during federal holidays and peak periods between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are also strengthened protections for veterans, granting IAM’s Veterans Services Department annual access to facilities to assist members with VA claims. Additional updates address other key areas of the collective bargaining agreement.
Craig Martin, IAM Union Southern Territory General Vice President, said: “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 negotiating committee highlighted ongoing challenges related to attracting new instructors and maintaining work-life balance. Many current instructors regularly perform double shifts or workdays as long as 17 hours due to FAA training demands.
Ben Moody, IAM Union District 171 President and Directing Business Representative, stated: “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.”
IAM represents about 600,000 active and retired workers across industries such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, among others in North America.
