Boeing rocket workers to vote on new pact
Published 9:00 pm Sunday, January 29, 2006
The long-running strike by the International Association of Machinists against Boeing’s space and defense business may or may not be coming to an end.
The company says it has reached a tentative agreement with union negotiators on a new contract, which workers in Alabama, California and Florida will vote on Wednesday.
The move came after the two sides got together for new talks on Friday — the first significant development since the strike began on Nov. 2.
But The Associated Press http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=AP&Date=20060130&ID=5458810 reports that the union isn’t exactly thrilled with all of the contract terms.
Key Quote: “The contracts also eliminate retiree medical coverage for new workers hired after Sept. 1. …Bob Wood, a union spokesman for the Alabama workers, said the revised insurance proposal included in his local’s new contract ‘is definitely not what we wanted.’”
Wood told United Press International http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060130-093611-1943r that union leaders feel obligated to let members vote on a contract that had “substantive, not substantial” changes.
“‘We are nearing three months on strike,’ (he) said … ‘We have a duty to send this to the membership for a vote. It’s democracy at its finest. The strikers at Boeing have the final say on whether to keep striking or not.’”
That echoed what Wood had told Florida Today. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/NEWS01/601290334/1006
“‘We have to take it back to the membership to vote, because it is their decision … It will be a simple majority either way — to stay out on strike or to go back to work.’”
For its part, Boeing was upbeat in describing the contract to The Huntsville Times in Alabama http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1138530419230710.xml&coll=1
Key Quote: “Boeing officials have said the contract offer was generous, included raises and reflected the competitive environment the company faces. ‘We are pleased the union has agreed to take the company’s offer back to our employees for a vote,’ said Boeing spokeswoman Linda James. ‘The company believes the pay and benefit packages are very good given the competitive environment, and the package includes a lump-sum bonus, increases in wages and pensions, and new medical plan choices.’”
And The Decatur Daily http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060129/strike.shtml discussed the key issue in the strike — retiree health care benefits — that was also one of the key issues in the IAM’s strike against Boeing Commercial Airplanes here last year.
Key Quote: “Decatur employees’ dilemma is complicated by the fact that their stand is, in part, intended to benefit people they do not know. Boeing’s offer would eliminate health-insurance premium payments for new hires once they reach retirement age.”
