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thumbnail history of Local 1145 at Honeywell & Alliant Tech Systems -
The Minneapolis-Honeywell Heating and Regulator Company started in the early part of the twentieth century. It made thermostats and heating controls for homes and businesses. Local 1145 was organized in the 1941 by workers at Honeywell and the United Electrical, Radio, & Machine Workers Union (UE). The Local represented all the hourly workers at Honeywell, Inc. in the Minneapolis area. The principles of democracy and shop floor representation that UE established are still present in the daily workings of Local 1145.
In the late 40's the company changed its name to Honeywell, Inc.
In the early 50's Local 1145 switched representation to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). The move was made for two reasons -
1. UE was being red baited by the government (McCarthyism) and was one of nine unions who split from the AFL-CIO.
2. The IBT was a growing union with a $2 million dollar strike fund that could be used as leverage in contract negotiations.
Contract negotiations in the early 50's resulted in one of the first pension and first healthcare plans in Minnesota.
During the Korean conflict Honeywell got involved in early radar and navigation systems for the military. This business continued to grow after Korea.
In 1967 Local 1145 had its first strike. It was over increases in wage rate and movement for the lowest labor grades in assembly. It lasted for 2 weeks.
In the 60's the Union steadily increased wages and benefits for its members setting the standard for the metro Minneapolis area.
In the 60's Honeywell and Local 1145 grew by leaps and bounds. The Local had over 11,000 members due to the space program and the growth of US involvement in Viet Nam. But this was short lived because as the war wound down so did Honeywell and 1145. Business spurted again in the late 70's and Local 1145 raised above 8,000 members. Throughout Local 1145 concentrated on raising wages and expanding healthcare benefits for it's members.
Honeywell moved into commercial avionics in the mid 80s. Their products were soon an important part of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas airplane cockpits. Honeywell also bought Sperry Univac in Phoenix and greatly expanded its aircraft product line.
Throughout the 80's Honeywell expanded it's operations in other parts of the US and Mexico and introduced few new heating and cooling products in the Minneapolis area plants. As old products sunsetted Local 1145 slowly lost jobs.
In 1991 Honeywell spun off its defense division as Alliant Tech Systems. Teamsters Local 1145 continued to represent ATK's production and maintenance employees. Relations soured quickly as control of the company moved to an outside group from Hercules Inc. and they shifted jobs to other sites. Local 1145 had to strike ATK three times in the 90's to maintain their wages and benefits. Each strike lasted 1-2 weeks before the company capitulated. By standing strong together we increased wages and pension benefits each time while maintaining 100% medical coverage.
In 1998 Local 1145 struck Honeywell over proposed changes in healthcare benefits. The workers were determined and the picket line held strong. After 2 weeks the company dropped the healthcare changes to get a settlement. Increased wages and pension benefits were won by concerted membership action.
The 1999 ATK contract increased wages and upped the pension benefit by 22%. It provided job security for the ATK members and also locked in their 100% medical benefits for 5 years. It also included pre-tax premiums for healthcare that kept out-of-pocket expense from going up. The Union also found a new provider of eyecare who expanded benefit limits while saving the company money.
In 2000 Allied Signal Corporation of Morristown,
New Jersey bought Honeywell. The new name was Honeywell International.
In late 2001 Local 1145 Union used their web page (www.teamsterslocal1145.org) to post the notes from each negotiating session. Local members used a password to get access to the notes. This opened a new and exciting form of communication for the Union and one that we continue to capitalize on as we move into the 21st century.
Al V.