Bargaining Our Contract

Day 16 - Daily Bargaining Update - 10/27/2026

benjamin.wilcox
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Brothers & Sisters,

Today the Union met with the company and presented UAW’s analysis of the company’s proposed healthcare plan. Then we had members come to the table to talk about how expensive our healthcare has been in the past few years. Finally, the Union presented a full package of counter proposals to the company on every issue.

HEALTHCARE

Frankly, the company was not up front with us in their healthcare presentation last week. Yes, premiums appear to be coming down slightly. But what our healthcare specialist found was that the company has shifted thousands of dollars of deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum costs onto our members since 2022. And the new proposal continues that trend. Here are some quotes from our healthcare specialist:

  • Members are carrying substantially more healthcare costs and risks than in 2022.
  • Member costs have increased substantially from 2021-2027.
  • The company has moved substantially higher costs onto our members while HSA contribution has decreased from 50% of deductible in 2022 to 7% next year (proposed).
  • Members are paying thousands before the company starts paying claims. All while lowering HSA contributions.
  • Family deductible increased 400%, out of pocket max increased 60%. Premiums still 28% higher than in 2022.

Currently the company is held to raising healthcare premiums no more than 10% each year. The company proposal is to delete that language and allow them to raise our healthcare as much as they want - premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket. Amazingly, the company actually tried to sell this to the Union as a good thing for the members! 

There is no way to sugar coat this, the company has fleeced our members over five years and moved up to tens of thousands of dollars in healthcare costs on them. 

SO WHAT’S NEXT?

The company is definitely feeling the pressure from our strike vote and the actions of our members in the shop. Today, the company brought an attorney from Morgan Lewis to the table. The UAW is familiar with this attorney and law firm from other contract negotiations, including Mack Truck and Electric Boat. It means Triumph Group is getting the message that this year is different and our members are focused on winning their core issues:

  • Industry Leading Wages
  • Cost of Living Adjustments
  • Affordable Healthcare
  • Job Security
  • No Concessions

COMPANY STRATEGY

We want all our members to know now, Morgan Lewis’s key strategy is to delay, delay, delay bargaining seriously on our members’ core issues, then try to offer a moderate general wage increase and pressure our members to take it. Sound familiar? This is how Triumph has operated in the past. Our members told us this year they would not accept a sneak attack, and this Bargaining Committee is committing that we will only bring an agreement to our members that addresses those core issues. We will not let the company surprise or pressure our members into taking a fast, bad deal. And our members will have days to read the agreement and ask questions before they vote on anything.

But there’s more.

After the Union presented its healthcare today, we then presented a comprehensive package of all counter proposals. Remember, the Union presented economics on October 16. The Company delayed and made no proposal until just last Friday, Oct 23.

What happened next is really unbelievable. After the Union presented healthcare, member testimonials, and a full economic and non-economic package, the Company said they would have a response. After only 10 minutes the Company said they were ready. When we walked in the Company said they intend to make a proposal tomorrow.

This comes after the company waited weeks to give any economic proposal. And the company has made no economic counter proposals and attempted to hide new healthcare costs.

The company is acting desperate after the strength of our strike vote last week. The Union is going to keep bargaining and fighting for our members’ core priorities. That is why our Health Walk is so important tomorrow and we need every member there.

We are excited to share other UAW members, labor unions, and elected leaders such as Senator Blumenthal, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, State AG Tong, and State Rep. Farrar and others will be joining us to show support for our contract.

EVERYONE WEAR RED TOMORROW AND MARCH FOR OUR CONTRACT AT 11:30AM.

In Solidarity, 

Your Bargaining Committee