About 75 percent of the bargaining unit's dues-paying members met at the Tucson Convention Center and overwhelmingly approved the new contract, said Jim Watson, directing business representative of Local 933 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He did not disclose the ballot tally.
The vote ratified the tentative agreement that union and company officials reached early Friday, two days before the contract's expiration.
Local 933 represents 1,750 hourly workers at Raytheon, Southern Arizona's largest employer, with more than 11,500 employees in Tucson and about 800 elsewhere.
Union members went on strike for 10 weeks in late 2006 and early 2007 over wages and health-care issues. They returned to work after the company agreed to a 3 percent wage increase each year and other health improvements.
The new agreement, which runs through Oct. 28, 2012, provides for general wage increases of 2.75 percent this year and next year, and 2.5 percent in 2011. A ratification bonus of $750 will be paid on Nov. 19.
Employee contributions for medical coverage will be raised, but Watson said union negotiators were able to cap increases in premiums for total health care at 22.5 percent the first year and 25 percent in each of the other years.
Watson called it a "very tough round of negotiations." He said union leaders were thankful they got an acceptable agreement that lets workers know they'll get raises and how much they'll pay for health care over three years. But health care will remain an issue for all labor unions and employers "until this nation comes to the realization that runaway health-care costs need to be fixed for the working families of this country."
Raytheon spokesman John Patterson issued a statement that the company was pleased to have reached an agreement with the union.
"Together with the union, the company will continue to provide war fighters and other customers worldwide with the best possible products and services," he said.
Contact reporter Enric Volante at 573-4129 or evolante@azstarnet.com
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