Contractors and the erosion of benefits

[Hoopty]

This topic has been split from the original "Maxwell PMEL" job advertisement as it went waaaaay off topic.

[griff61]

This topic has been split from the original "Maxwell PMEL" job advertisement as it went waaaaay off topic.

Thanks Hoopty,
We like to make your life more interesting...

[Bob]

Very interesting thread!
PMEL Techs, Lead Techs, QA Techs, Support Svcs Techs working for an AF contractor at Barksdale, Beale, Cannon, Dyess, Minot, Moody, Offutt, and Whiteman AFB-s are paid substantially above the AWD (area wage determination), they get above the standard Health & Welfare (currently @ $5. 66 per hr), have an excellent pension that the employer is the sole contributor (currently $1. 40 per hour worked which yields a $62 per year of service credit monthly benefit) and they have sick pay and many other additional benefits too lengthy to list here.   
These folks have the Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) as their union.   When you work for a government contractor you fall under a law called the Service Contract Act (SCA).   The government provides minimums that the contractor must pay in a document called the Area Wage Determination (AWD).   The SCA recognizes collective bargaining as the vehicle to reach fair and equitable wages and benefits, and if you are not bargaining collectively as with the IAM, you are basically allowing yourself to be paid the minimum wages and benefits for your very exceptional skills and training.   Email if you want more info (I have a bunch)

[glrbob]

Doesn't look like my email showed up in the post.   It is: randerson@iamaw. org

-Bob