Tuesday, May 3, 2011

North Carolina Coast Guard Workers Join IAM


Tue. May 03, 2011

One hundred and thirty workers at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, NC voted for IAM representation to improve their pay and benefits. The Service Contract workers are employed by URS Corporation and provide service to the base and helicopter fleet.

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City is one of the busiest Air Stations in the Coast Guard. On any single day, aircrews may be as far away as Greenland, the Azores or the Caribbean. Aircrews from the base are constantly putting their training and knowledge to the test in missions including maritime law enforcement, environmental response as well as search and rescue. URS employees also ensure the equipment at the station is in top shape at all times.

“Local Lodge 2203 already represents federal workers at the base,” said District Lodge 74 Directing Business Representative Larry Young. “Our federal members talked to the Service Contract workers about the importance of having a union contract. The URS employees recently had pay and benefits cut. I want to thank Local 2203 member Willard Jenkins, and his wife, Tabatha, who is a URS employee. They led the organizing effort.”

“Hard-working professionals don’t need pay cuts. They need the protection of an IAM contract to ensure their future,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “This was a great move for the 130 workers and their families. Congratulations to DBR Young, and I want to welcome our newest IAM members.”