Unions don’t care about the company

I was an employee of the Boeing Co. in the Seattle area for 19-plus years. I was hired to be an electronic mechanic on the 767 (two months before the first 767 rolled out of “body join”). I was told by the union officials when I filled out my employment information that I had to join the Machinists union. I later found out that this was a lie!

I found out quickly that the union employees were not always working for the Boeing Co., but just putting in their time. They knew that the union would protect their jobs even though they were incompetent to perform their duties.

During my 19-plus years, I was a member of the Machinists for 12 years and SPEEA for the final 4 1/2 years. I found both unions to work for their benefit whether it would further Boeing’s interests or not. Both unions protected the nonproducers just because they are union members. Then the unions go on strike just so that they can further their control of the members.

I question the votes for the three strikes during my employment. I refused to go on strike for SPEEA in 1999 because I was coming up on retirement, and was chastised by the union members. I could care less for the losers. I work for myself, not some useless union bigwig.

The reason that Boeing moved the 787 second line to South Carolina is because the Machinists are nothing but greedy. They care nothing for Boeing. The reason for the cost of living in the Seattle area is the unions. Make no mistake about it. If you disagree, show me some proof and I will recant.

James E. Rhodes
Las Vegas