Boeing, Machinists begin contract talks
Published 3:05 pm Friday, May 9, 2008
The Boeing Co. and its Machinists union kicked off contract negotiations Friday, outlining issues that need to be resolved before their agreement expires Sept. 3.
“We are cautiously optimistic as we enter this round of bargaining,” said Tom Wroblewski, president of the local district 751, based out of Seattle. “We are in the strongest bargaining position we have had in years. By any measure, Boeing is one of the most successful companies in the world – sales, profits, backlogs – and our members are a huge part of that.”
Officials from both Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers exchanged initial proposals at a meeting Friday in Seattle. Key topics in those proposal include possible changes to the pension plan, compensation and the separation of Boeing workers in Wichita, Kans., from the western Washington bargaining group. Additionally, Boeing expressed an interest in negotiating a contract that would last longer than three year — the time frame that has been typical of union agreements with Boeing.
Boeing, which employs more than 20,000 Machinists in the Puget Sound region, has received record jet orders in the past two years. With 3,600 unfilled orders for commercial jets, Boeing’s backlog has soared to $271 billion. The company depends on its machinists to assemble aircraft in Everett and in Renton.
Negotiations come at a time when Boeing tries to get its latest commercial airplane, its 787 Dreamliner, back on track, following a 15-month delay of its first delivery. The company outsourced the manufacturing of large 787 assemblies to its global partners at the ire of its unions. Boeing employees in Everett complete the final assembly work on the Dreamliner.
As Boeing has struggled with its 787, the unions have expressed their desire for the company to bring back more work.
“Boeing is committed to providing employees with outstanding pay and benefits, and we intend to reward employees for generating productivity improvements that help us meet our commitments to customers and win new business,” said Doug Kight, the Boeing vice president of Human Resources responsible for these negotiations.
