In June of 2021 Washington State MFLCs voted to join the IAM-AW Union by 97% margin after a hard fought organizing campaign. The employer, Leidos drug their feet getting to the bargaining table but this gave the MFLCs and their negotiation committee time to put together a comprehensive contract proposal and bargaining strategy that paid off for them in the end.
On Thursday April 21st the Washington Military Family Life Councilors ratified their first contract as IAM members. The contract includes a average wage increase of 12 thousand dollars along with 3% increases in each subsequent year of the 3 year CBA. The committee was also able to secure a sizable ratification bonus.
In addition to substantial wages increases the bargaining committee was able to secure progressive discipline, grievance procedure, binding arbitration and strong seniority language. "Thanks to the commitment of this bargaining committee and the solidarity of the Washington MFLCs we were able to bring back one of the best first contracts I've ever seen", said Jon Irvine IAM District W24 Business Representative.
Currently the IAM is working on organizing Military Family Life Councilors nationwide and this contract will go a long way to inspire other MFLCs to join our ranks. For more information on the Military Family Life Councilors please visit https://mflcunion.org/.