Solidarity Wins: IAM Local 447 Members at Cummins Win Respect on the Job

The following article comes courtesy of the Machinists Union:

Approximately 30 members of IAM Local 447 (District 15) are back on the job at Cummins locations in New England after achieving guaranteed pay raises following a nearly two month strike. The members had been on strike since February 12 at Cummins locations in Scarborough, Dedham, MA and Concord, NH.

Cummins management had attempted to implement inconsistent and subjective pay-for-performance policies instead of guaranteed wage increase language, which has been negotiated since the contract’s inception.

Instead, thanks to the solidarity of IAM members and their allies, including Congressman Jared Golden and numerous local unions, Cummins workers got guaranteed pay raises of 4 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent 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. 

IAM members at Cummins service generators in nursing homes, keep emergency vehicles running, and support frontline workers.