About Us
The Story of UAW Local 1069
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On May 22nd, 1956 UAW Local 1069 was certified and thereby
recognized as the legal representative for the purpose of
collective bargaining for the employees of The Vertol Aircraft
Corporation. The courage of the 2874 employees who stood up to
the harsh realities of yesterday's workplace conditions should
serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices, hardships and
intimidating tactics commonly used by corporations hell bent
on nullifying the voices of working men and women today.
Through the early development of helicopters to today's most
innovative designs in rotorcraft history, the men and women of
Local 1069 have been at that forefront of vertical lift
technology.
The members of Local 1069 have been producing military
helicopters for the United States Government for over 50
years. The helicopters have been responsible for protecting
the lives of our soldiers as well as serving the humanitarian
needs and democratic principles of people worldwide.
Showing their ability to adapt and learn when the military
need for rotorcraft dwindled, workers successfully
manufactured transit rail cars in the 1970's, commercial
helicopters for civilian and logging purposes and became a
premier manufacturer of wing assemblies for several models of
Boeing Commercial Jetliners.
As Local 1069 members went through both business and ownership
changes with first Piasecki, then Vertol and finally Boeing,
the membership persevered through several hiring and layoff
cycles. During the Vietnam War Era in the 60s, membership
eclipsed 7,000. By the early 1980's slightly more than 1200
workers remained. With the introduction of a newly designed
Chinook and the revolutionary V-22 Osprey, membership swelled
to over 3400 members in 1990 only to have management attempt
to close our plant when roughly 1150 members remained in early
2000.
With a new Employee Involvement Program negotiated in 1999 the
untapped skills and knowledge of the members were being used
for the first time. Teams of employees were formed to draft
ideas that could improve upon rigid old school management
techniques and improve workplace efficiency. By 2002 the proof
was in the performance. The EI Program started to show results.
The company began saving money and realized that workers could
think as well as work. The decision to close the facility was
thwarted by the determination and willingness of the UAW to
embrace progressive changes in the workplace.
Seven years later UAW Local 1069's membership has again
re-written their legacy taking the Boeing Rotorcraft Division
from worst to first. This division is now a model in industry
and continues to evolve as the finest rotorcraft company in
the world.
The successes of Local 1069 have come from its' workers
organized together to bargain collectively. The solidarity of
this membership standing behind their Union Leadership at the
negotiating table continues to be the driving force between
winning and losing.
UAW Local 1069 is a cooperative and supportive partner in the
surrounding communities. Through the generous contributions of
our members, tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours
of volunteerism have been donated to both charitable and
veteran causes.
UAW Local 1069 has chosen to fight the toughest battles
leading its membership into the fray for social and economic
justice, a safe work environment, a voice in the workplace
where members are treated with dignity, and the capability to
face their corporate partner on even ground. Local 1069 will
never cease in leading the way towards a better life for
working families.
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