No strike; Lockheed workers OK pact (would have idled 3,000 workers)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

By Peralte C. Paul, David Markiewicz

Union machinists at Lockheed Martin Corp.'s plant in Marietta overwhelmingly voted in favor of ratifying a three-year contract Sunday, ending the possibility of a strike that would have idled 3,000 workers.

About 88 percent of the workers, represented by the International Association of Machinists Local No. 709, approved the contract, said Jeff T. Goen, president of the local.

"We did have a large turnout of our membership —- probably one of the largest turnouts we've had in recent years," Goen said Sunday night. The contract, he said, "may be the best package we've ever gotten."

Employees at the Marietta facility, where the F-22 Raptor and C-130J aircraft are manufactured, will receive a 10 percent raise spread over the next three years and a $2,000 bonus for ratifying the contract. Their portion of costs for health care coverage will remain 13 percent, as previously.


Read more: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2008/03/03/lockheed0303.html