SEATTLE – A record turnout of Machinists union members overwhelmingly indicated Wednesday that they are willing to go on strike against the Boeing Co. this fall if negotiators aren’t able to win an acceptable contract.
“We’ve got nothing to lose,” said Tony Magno, a 777 worker from Everett.
Michael V. Martina / The Herald
If pushed, Machinists can cash out retirement funds and tap into their home equity to finance a six-month strike, or “just start new careers if need be,” he said.
“I don’t think the company understands the mentality” of union members, Magno said. “I just don’t trust corporations, the way they’re going.”
Magno was one of nearly 11,000 members of the International Association of Machinists’ District 751 who cast strike sanction ballots Wednesday. As expected, they overwhelmingly approved a largely procedural motion to support a strike. Union officials said 98.5 percent voted in favor.
Most gathered for a rally at Safeco Field in Seattle, but smaller groups met in Portland, Ore.; Wichita, Kan.; and elsewhere.
Michael V. Martina / The Herald
The turnout was a record, union spokeswoman Connie Kelliher said. In most contract years, a third or half the members show up for the vote. But this year’s turnout represented nearly two-thirds of the union’s 16,500 members.
This “tremendous show of force” stems from the contentious contract talks of 2002, union district President Mark Blondin said after Wednesday’s vote. More than 60 percent of IAM members voted to reject the 2002 contract, but they failed to get the two-thirds’ majority needed for a strike, so the contract was ratified by default.
“That contract’s been burning, bothering people for three years,” Blondin said. “This is really important to them. They’re not apathetic.”
The current contract expires Sept. 1.
Wednesday’s vote doesn’t mean a strike will occur. It’s part of the union’s internal process, triggering steps that allow members to start receiving strike benefits from the union should a walkout take place.
So far, early contract talks are proceeding well, according to Blondin and Boeing spokesman Chaz Bickers. Four subcommittees have been meeting on topics ranging from work rules to joint training programs, and Blondin has been meeting regularly with Jerry Calhoun, Boeing’s negotiator.
“We are optimistic about the negotiations,” Bickers said.
Blondin agreed. “We’re hopeful in six weeks we’ll have a contract that we can recommend to our members,” he said.
There have been positive developments, Blondin added. Boeing has recalled 2,700 union members who were laid off after the 2001 terror attacks, and “more are coming in every week,” he said.
Wednesday’s big turnout strengthens the hand of the union’s bargaining team by showing that members are united, Blondin said.
Union negotiators want clear improvements, Blondin told Machinists at Wednesday’s rally.
“This year’s contract is about doing the right thing, not just for our members, but for our community,” he said.
The union’s top issue is pensions, Blondin said. With the average IAM member now 49 years old, retirement weighs heavily on their minds, he said. The union wants Boeing to sweeten its pension program, add cost-of-living-adjustments so retiree benefits keep up with inflation and allow members to enroll in a union-sponsored pension program.
“It’s right, it’s just and brothers and sisters, I believe it’s attainable,” Blondin told the cheering Machinists.
Job security is another key issue, Blondin said. He called on Boeing to “guarantee an industry to the community that has supported you.”
“There is no reason you should have to live in fear of your jobs,” Blondin told members.
Keeping health care costs low is also high on the union’s list. Costs keep rising, but Boeing must do more than simply pass on the increases to workers, Blondin said.
He told the Machinists that they deserve to share in the gains created by Boeing’s rebound in recent months.
“Boeing is an extremely efficient and very productive company because of you,” Blondin said. “You deserve the credit. You deserve a better contract this year.”
Reporter Bryan Corliss: 425-339-3454 or corliss@heraldnet.com.
Michael V. Martina / The Herald
Above, Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, speaks at a union rally Wednesday at Safeco Field in Seattle. At right, retired Boeing employee Gene Hoglund holds a sign calling for cost of living increases for retirees.
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