Saturday, February 5, 2005
For Immediate Release
Peterborough, ON - The members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 905 have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action against Hispano-Suiza, Snecma Group.
Hispano-Suiza specializes in aerospace design and the manufacture of electronic flight critical control systems to support the aerospace industry on a global scale. Component production, performed by the 33 Machinist members demands electronic level III capability as the products manufactured are critical to aircraft operation.
The critical issue after months of bargaining is wages. The average wage currently paid is in the mid to low $13.00 range. “When one considers the additional skill sets and capabilities required to produce aerospace critical electronics, this is a real travesty,” said IAMAW Grand Lodge Representative Bill Shipman.
Other outstanding issues include wage structure, wage progression, mandatory assignment of overtime and shift assignment.
The parties have agreed to attend mediation sessions scheduled for February 21 and 23, 2005. If these sessions fail to produce an agreement, the members will be in a legal strike position as of 00:01am, Thursday February 24, 2005.
