IBEW 1245 members employed at Lockheed Martin  have unanimously approved a new five-year agreement by a vote of 8-0 (with two members absent/abstained).

The new agreement, which runs from April 23, 2018 to April 22, 2023, includes general wage increases of 3% in year one, 2.5% in year two, 2.5% in year three, 2.5% in year four, and  3% in year five. Members will also receive a $4,200 ratification bonus, by way of $800 lump sum payments every year for the life of the contract. Additionally, the company agreed to a one-time equity adjustment of $3 per hour, and an additional $1.25 per hour for chief electricians (leads). Bargaining committee member and Shop Steward Todd Shiels presented a very compelling explanation regarding job duties and also provided wage comparisons, which helped the company understand and ultimately agree to the union’s equity adjustment proposal.

Under the new contract, members have the option to move over to a high-deductible medical plan, with a one-time HSA company contribution of $1,250 for singles and $2,500 for families, and the opportunity to receive up to $1,000 in annual wellness incentives for employees and spouses — or they can stay with their current Kaiser plans. Other improvements include a $100 pension increase for each year of credited service, benefits in effect on day one for new hires, improvements to retirement plans, a $200 safety shoe reimbursement, and three days of paid bereavement leave per occurrence (bereavement had been unpaid for many years and limited to once a year).

The bargaining committee was comprised of Shop Steward Todd Shiels and electrician Edward Cardenas.

–Cruz Serna, IBEW 1245 Business Rep