DUANE SHERRILLEditor

There will be no picket lines or strikes at the AEDC campus as its civilian laborers have come to an agreement that promises tranquility for the next five years.

The collective bargaining agreement was announced this past week by Beyond New Horizons which is the civilian employer for the base.

“Beyond New Horizons (BNH) and the Air Engineering Metal Trades Council (AEMTC) have been engaged in negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) since Aug. 19,” the press release regarding the settlement revealed. “The AEMTC informed BNH their membership ratified a CBA effective at 5:20 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT), Sept. 18, 2025. The new CBA is for five years with a reopener at the end of third year for limited purposes and will be effective Oct. 1, 2025.”

Both bargaining teams from the company and union worked together for months on mutually agreed topics prior to negotiations.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to both bargaining teams for their diligent work and dedication throughout the bargaining process. This new contract is a result of many months of hard work and good-faith negotiations,” BNH Bargaining Team Chief Spokesperson and Operations and Maintenance Functional Manager Mike Hollowell stated. “We are committed to a positive and collaborative relationship with our unionized employees under this new agreement.”

The teamwork exhibited by both bargaining teams was a catalyst for the success of ratifying the new agreement and is a product of many months of hard work by both union and company officials.

“I am proud of what we were able to accomplish. I look forward to working together to continue making AEDC an even better place to work,” said AEMTC Bargaining Team Chief Spokesperson Ashley Schultz.

The well-executed negotiation process allows for a harmonious and productive workforce.

“BNH looks forward to continued success with our valuable AEMTC team members,” Jim Jolliffe, BNH General Manager, said. “The new CBA allows us to continue delivering the Air Force mission safely and effectively.”

The AEMTC is the sole bargaining agent for its union affiliates and represents more than 700 skilled craft professionals at Arnold Air Force Base.

The workforce last went on strike in 2021 when National Aerospace Solutions LLC was the civilian coordinator. The strike was resolved with a new contract after two weeks.