WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The machinists at Textron Aviation have two decisions to make on Saturday: whether to approve a new contract or strike. But before they vote, they held a solidarity labor rally at Naftzger Park in downtown Wichita at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 774 is in contract negotiations with Textron Aviation. The current contract has been in place since 2020 and expires at 11:59 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 22.
KSN asked workers of they are ready for a strike.
“Yeah. Absolutely,” said Angie Garner, an IAMAW worker at Textron. “I am from Beech originally, and I struck for five weeks in 2008. So, yeah, absolutely.”
Negotiations between the union and the company started on Aug. 12. The union says it is standing firm on many areas that need to be addressed, but the two are still far apart on the issues. On Monday, the union sent the company its latest counteroffer.