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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 Boeing keeps pressure on Machinists Michelle Dunlop Herald writer EVERETT – Grounded: that’s how the Boeing Co. described its position, due to the Machinists’ strike, at the governor’s aerospace summit in Everett today. “We believe this track record of work stoppages is earning us a reputation as an unreliable supplier,” Fred Kiga, Boeing’s vice president of government and community relations, told members of Washington’s aerospace community. Kiga’s words reiterate the point made yesterday by Jim McNerney, Boeing’s chief executive, in a memo to employees. The Machinists’ strike, in its 32nd day, is bad for Boeing’s business. And Boeing’s message to the union remains the same: the company isn’t willing to bargain on outsourcing. “Aerospace is a global industry and we are a global company,” Kiga said. Boeing and its Machinists union failed to reach a new three-year labor contract last month, sending the Machinists out on strike Sept. 6. The union said Boeing’s offer fell short in wages, pension, health care and job security. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers went on strike against Boeing in 2005 for 28 days. “The IAM is interested in written contract language that ensures that jobs historically performed by Machinist Union members in our factories will continue to be worked by IAM members,” Mark Blondin, aerospace coordinator for the union, wrote in a response to McNerney’s comments. Boeing outsourced design and production work on its new 787 Dreamliner jet – an aircraft that was 15 months behind schedule due to supplier and production issues prior to the strike. Work stoppages benefit only Boeing’s main rival, Airbus, and invite additional competition, Kiga said. “We can’t afford to be known as the strike zone,” he said. Kiga’s remarks came after the Aerospace Futures Alliance, which hosted the event, laid out the state’s top priorities for retaining and growing the aerospace industry in Washington. “Washington is high cost state for doing business,” said Linda Lanham, executive director of the alliance. The group is seeking to reduce unemployment insurance and workers compensation costs for aerospace companies. It also wants to see a statewide program started to provide training for potential aerospace workers. “We can not be complacent here,” Lanham said. Gov. Chris Gregoire noted the importance of the industry in the state with about 87,000 aerospace workers making an average of $90,000 annually. She agreed that state needs training programs and pointed to recent apprenticeship initiative. As for the Machinists’ strike, Gregoire said, “I truly hope that the respective parties … can come back to the table.” Because, she said, “that’s good for Washington.” READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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