Approximately 30 brave members of IAM Local 447 (District 15) are back on the job at Cummins locations in New England after achieving the guaranteed pay raises fought for in a nearly two month strike. The members had been on strike since February 12 at Cummins locations in Dedham, MA, Scarborough, ME and Concord, NH.
Cummins management had attempted to implement inconsistent and subjective pay-for-performance policies instead of guaranteed wage language, which has been negotiated since the contract’s inception.
Instead, thanks to the solidarity of IAM members and their allies, including the Massachusetts congressional delegation and a rally that included numerous community organizations and leaders, Cummins workers got guaranteed pay raises of 4%, 3% and 3% in the three-year agreement ratified on Thursday, April 8. Members returned to work on Monday, April 11.
“Our members at Cummins held strong to get a contract that values their hard work and will make life better for themselves and their families,” said IAM District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative Mike Vartabedian. “We want to express our sincere thank you to the New England community and elected officials for their unwavering support.”
In addition, the membership also achieved:
- More paid holidays
- Discretionary leave
- $1 an hour increase in road differential
- District 15 benefits plan (legal services, identity theft protection and roadside assistance)
- Increased shoe and boot allowance
- Increased on-call pay
“Our Local 447 membership demonstrated tremendous strength and solidarity, and they had the entire Machinists Union, labor movement and all of our allies behind them every step of the way,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “I’m extremely grateful to District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative Mike Vartabedian, Grand Lodge Representative Craig Hughes and the entire team at IAM Headquarters and across the Eastern Territory who gave every resource necessary to our brave Local 447 membership.”
IAM members at Cummins service generators in nursing homes, keep emergency vehicles running, and support frontline workers.
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