About 1,000 hourly union workers at Raytheon in Tucson will get significant wage increases, improved retirement security and preserved health care benefits, under a three-year labor agreement with the defense giant.
After initial bargaining sessions last week, the negotiating committee of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers recommended that members of Local 933 accept the proposed contract with Raytheon, Southern Arizonaβs largest private employer with about 12,000 Tucson employees.
The agreement later ratified by members provides union members with a 4% wage increase this year, followed by a 3.5% increase in 2024 and a 3.25% increase in 2025, the union said.
The pact also includes a $3,000 ratification bonus, two lump-sum bonus payments totaling $2,800, a non-contributory pension increase for currently enrolled employees, and implementation of a β9/80β β nine-day, 80 hour β work schedule, allowing employees at least 25 additional days off annually.
Other provisions of the tentative agreement include a shift-differential pay increase; minimum increases for multiple occupations; career education payment increases, an enhanced automatic wage progression schedule and strengthened grievance and arbitration procedures.
βThis new contract is a testament to the collective power of a united workforce,β said IAM Local 933 Directing Business Representative Rick Vargas. βCongratulations to all our members at Raytheon for voting overwhelmingly to ratify the new three-year agreement, specifically designed to improve the quality of their lives.β
Several weapon systems made by Tucson-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense are helping Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion.
