Machinists strike at Boeing

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 02 Sep 2005 17:59

Picket lines went up at the world's largest airplane manufacturer today, as machinists’ union members voted overwhelmingly, by a margin of 86 percent, to strike at Boeing over issues of pensions, healthcare, and job security.

The union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), represents 18,400 members at Boeing plants in Washington, Kansas, and Oregon.

“This strike is not about economics, but a corporate strategy to break the workers who have built this company. There is no reason for any takeaways in this round of bargaining, and the contract is filled with them,” said Mark Blondin, President of Machinists District 751. “The economic and benefit package is less than what was offered in 2002, even though Boeing profits have tripled in the last three years.”

On the union’s top issue of pension, Boeing’s offer of a $6 increase is the lowest percentage increase since the plan was established in 1955. According to the union, Boeing also proposed huge takeways in healthcare with monthly premiums nearly three times higher, as well as increased co-pays and deductibles. The company also refused to offer job security language that the union desired, and instead offered language to eliminate more jobs.

“We are disappointed with the outcome of the IAM vote today. No one ever benefits from a strike,” said Boeing in a statement. “Our goal for these negotiations has always been to reach an agreement that works for our employees and the company, so that we could continue to create jobs and opportunities for everybody associated with Boeing. We offered a comprehensive contract that compared favorably with others in our industry and in the regions where we operate.”

The company also said that it did not intend to assemble any airplanes during this strike.

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