Lockheed Martin Union Votes Against Strike

COBB COUNTY, Ga. -- Union workers voted Sunday to accept a contract proposed by Lockheed Martin, avoiding a strike.

Thousands of workers at Marietta’s Lockheed Martin plant cast votes on Sunday afteoon. At issue is Lockheed’s latest contract offer and how it affects the pension plan. Union officials said 1,366 voted to ratify the new contract while 1,006 voted against it.

Union leaders said the proposed contract unfairly raises insurance costs for retired employees and leaves future employees without a good retirement plan.

GA Daily News reporter Tony Thomas spoke with union head Sunday evening.

”I'm disappointed and I am suprised, said Local 709 president Denise Rakestraw. "Down the road we are going to pay for this in spades. We have given up a defined benefit pension and that's a sad, sad thing.

Rakestraw represents more than 2,000 members of the Inteational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers who work at Marietta’s Lockheed Martin facility.

Slugger Palmer, a 57-year employee at Lockheed said he is satisfied but others aren't."I am happy with the contract. People voted their feelings," he said.

Only Channel 2 cameras were there Sunday moing as Rakestraw’s members prepared to take a vote on whether to walk off the job.

Rakestraw said union leaders encouraged the strike vote because, under the proposal on the table, Rakestraw said insurance premiums for some Lockheed retirees will skyrocket, and new hires won’t have access to the same pension program current union members enjoy.

”That’s a hugely important benefit. It sustains our quality of life, said Rakestraw.

Six-thousand members at plants from Califoia to Mississippi are voting whether to accept the contract. If they don’t, picketing is expected to begin just after midnight.

Ray Dempsey said he would have walked on the picket lines.

”Nobody wants to strike. We don’t have a bunch of rich folks working here, and I certainly am not, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do, said Dempsey. ”Lockheed is making billions of dollars, yet they claim they must cut back on everything and we don’t agree with that.

Lockheed officials said the contract is necessary to help the company remain competitive in the industry.

In a statement, Lockheed officials said: "We are pleased that the IAM has ratified a new contract. The proposal was the result of good faith negotiations between the company and the union. It is fair and equitable for employees and maintains the competitiveness of the company. We are looking forward to continuing to work as a team to meet our commitments to customers."

The last time union members picketed was in 2005. That strike lasted five days.