The union representing about 180 hourly workers at Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems in Akron has a six-month contract extension.
Members of United Auto Workers Local 856 overwhelmingly approved the extension in voting on Saturday, Local President Fred Jones said.
About 84 percent voted in favor, he said.
Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems is located next to Akron Fulton International Airport and traces its roots to the former Goodyear Aerospace Corp. About 500 people work at the Akron facility, which makes, repairs and overhauls military and civilian aircraft brake-related parts. Meggitt earlier this year announced it had recently invested $6 million in equipment and renovations at its Akron facilities.
The UAW contract extension, which runs through March, includes a $750 signing bonus in October for each union member and a 3 percent pay raise starting in January, Jones said.
“We bargained this,” he said. The current contract was due to expire Sept. 30, Jones said.
Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems approached the union about extending the contract for six months because of pension funding issues that the company thought could lead to a strike, Jones said. The extension gives the company time to budget pension funding in 2014, he said.
Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems is pleased the company and Local 856 were able to reach a ratified agreement, a company spokesman said.
Jones said he expects the local and the company will return to bargaining in February over a new contract.
Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com.
