DECATUR – Jamie Littlefield has been in his position as a union Business Representative for roughly five months, and he’s already been a part of a major contract agreement affecting an area branch.

While recently representing District 75 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which includes Local 44 of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) in Decatur, Littlefield and his colleagues fared much better than in 2018 when the two sides couldn’t reach a deal.

That year, a two-week strike followed the broken talks. This time, a contract agreement between IAM and ULA was overwhelmingly approved by a vote of IAM workers at three sites. The contract covers Machinists Union members from IAM Local 44 in Decatur, Local 610 in Cape Canaveral, Fla., and Local 2786 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

“We had a very good vote – over 87 percent voted to accept it,’’ said Littlefield, a former military member who has been involved with four labor negotiations as a chief steward in union talks but just this one as an elected Business Representative.

“If you remember, the last vote we had there was a strike. So this, let me say it like this: This was one of the best negotiations I’ve ever been a part of in the fact that it was just that both sides wanted a contract and it’s better for the companies and the members in the long run.’’

The three branches covered in the three-year agreement build rockets such as the Atlas V, work on launch teams and maintain facilities across the United States.

The new contract includes wage increases, health care plan improvements, a ratification bonus, 401(k) gains, strengthened progression rates and more.

“It greatly enhanced our folks in the long run because we have some retirement language in the 401(k) that we really desperately needed and it’s good for all of our members,’’ Littlefield said. “Also, we have some wage increases that mean a better future for our members with the current rate of inflation. Any type of an increase is greatly needed right now.’’

The contract went into effect May 2.

“ULA Machinists are the hardworking men and women who ensure that America’s launch capability remains second to none by not only manufacturing but launching some of the best and safest rockets in the world,’’ said Robert Martinez Jr., president of IAM International. “They deserve a contract that acknowledges the decades of skills and expertise they bring to the job. I am proud to say that’s what we were able to bring home to the membership by standing in solidarity and being prepared for the bargaining table.”

Rickey Wallace, general vice president of IAM’s Southern Territory, said the path to an agreement was “solidarity.’’

“This negotiating team started preparing for these negotiations more than a year ago with the full might of the Machinist Union supporting them,’’ he said. “From the Strategic Resources and Communications departments to Director Chris Wagoner from the William W. Winpisinger Education Center who led the bargaining preparation class, the mission was clear – to bring home a strong IAM contract, and that’s what they did. This is the power of solidarity.”

The contract will be revisited in 2025.

“We got us a good three-year deal,” Littlefield said. “We don’t like to go more than about three or four years. You never know what inflation or anything is going to do, so we can come back to the table and help our members every three to four years.’’

Images provided by the United Launch Alliance.