Twenty-seven percent of Machinist union members have crossed the picket line and are back at work, KBSD-TV in Wichita reports http://www.kbsd6.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=KBSD/MGArticle/BSD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031785178269
Key Quote: “Machinist officials could not be reached for comment, however workers walking the line say they’re sticking together.”
The Wichita Eagle http://www.kansas.com/mld/eagle/business/industries/aviation/12698186.htm did get ahold of IAM District 70 officials, who said the number of picketers who have crossed the line is far below what the company claims.
Key Quote: “‘We have our people on the picket line every day,’ said Machinists union District 70 president Steve Rooney. ‘We know who’s going in.’”
Up here, the lines seem to be holding fairly strong, based on what I’ve seen (and I’ve been going out to talk with strikers in Everett two or three times a week since the strike started). I’ve only heard from two Machinists who seemed to be ready to go back to work — both voted for the contract, btw. I’ve heard from a much larger number who say they’ve saved up for a three- to six-month walkout.
Meanwhile, down in Kent, the King County Journal reports http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/217883 that the strike hasn’t caused much widespread pain for Renton-area business people — yet.
Key Quote, from Michael Parks, the editor and publisher of Marples Pacific Northwest Letter: “‘Statistically, a strike of three to four weeks or even six weeks is not a major hit to the regional economy,’ Parks said. ‘Now, if this goes on beyond the holidays, then the area might begin to feel some impacts in terms of retail sales.’”
But way down South in Los Angeles, Boeing suppliers are starting to get worried, the LA Business Journal reports http://www.labusinessjournal.com/article.asp?aID=06002815.522623.1200030.154219.2510691.423&aID2=92301
Key Quote, from Airdrome Holdings president Jim Eaton: “‘I fully expect that if the strike lingers on, we’ll have to stop shipping,’ said Eaton, who employs about 80 workers. ‘Boeing is a company that pays close attention to our financial strength, so it’s a double-edged sword. Something like this could make us look weak in their eyes.’”
A little farther up the coast in San Francisco, CFO James Bell met with investors and gave them an upbeat assessment of the company’s future, even with the strike, Agence France Presse reported http://www.todayonline.com/articles/73612.asp
Key Quote: “‘This is an unfortunate situation. Clearly we want to get our workers back in the shop and get our production going again,’ Bell said. ‘We do believe we will get this thing resolved in the short term.’”
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