A letter of understanding (LOU) has been agreed upon and signed by International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 389 and Solar Turbines.
Due to the devastating Coronavirus outbreak and crisis it has caused, Solar Turbines and IAM Local 389 found that attempting to negotiate the contract expiring on May 20, 2020 would be difficult at best. Negotiations were forecast to begin in late April and due to stay-at-home and social distancing orders from Governor Newsom and the CDC, doing so was unlikely. Since there is still plenty of uncertainty with regards to when the virus will be contained and the return to normal life will begin, the union and the company have come to an agreement to extend the contract 60 days. The new expiration date for the 2015-2020 collective bargaining agreement is July 19, 2020. The union and company will continue to operate under the current contract until that date. Negotiations will likely start in mid to late June, 2020.
Questions regarding the extension and all other contract matters should be directed to shop stewards or negotiating t committee members.