Machinists Union votes to end Triumph Composite strike

Machinists Union workers in Spokane have voted to accept a contract offer and end a nearly six-week strike at aerospace manufacturer Triumph Composite Systems on the West Plains.

About 400 employees have been locked out since May 10 after 93 percent of them voted to go on strike, according to a union news release. They wanted better pensions and the removal of a two-tier wage system that began in 2013.

More than 80 percent of union members voted to accept the company’s new four-year contract offer, the news release said. Employees are expected to be back at work on Monday.

Workers hired since 2013, some of whom aren’t eligible for the company’s pension plan, will be able to participate in a new company-funded retirement savings plan. The 12.5 percent gap in pay between workers hired before 2006 and those hired after will be cut in half in the next three years by giving raises to the newer workers, the news release said.

All workers will also get $7,000 in bonuses over the next three years and will get a 3 percent raise in the fourth year of the contract.