EVERETT — The Boeing Co.’s jet factory here could be rendered silent Thursday should Machinist union members reject the company’s contract offer and vote to strike when they cast their ballots today.
Hundreds of Boeing Machinists marched during a break Tuesday in Everett to show their opposition to the contract, which union leaders have urged members to decline. Both Boeing and union leaders spent the long weekend trying to sway the 24,000 Machinists in the Puget Sound area. In order to strike, the union needs two-thirds of its members to reject Boeing’s three-year labor deal and also sanction a strike when they vote today.
Union halls open for voting at 5 a.m. today and close at 6 p.m. The Machinists expect to announce results by 9 p.m.
Boeing has offered to shuttle members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers to and from union halls to facilitate voting and reduce disruptions on the production floor.
But even this offer of transportation was snubbed by union leaders, who urged members to “forget the bus, march with us.” The Machinists said marching to the polls would send Boeing a message that union members are “insulted” by Boeing’s negotiating tactics. The union has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Boeing, alleging the company directly negotiated with members rather than union officials. Boeing denies the allegation.
The company did take to the airwaves over the weekend, releasing a new advertising spot featuring Scott Carson, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Carson describes Boeing’s proposal — including an 11 percent raise, a $2,500 signing bonus and a minimum lump sum payment of an additional $2,500 in the first year — as “an outstanding offer.”
Machinists leaders think Boeing can do better in the areas of wages, job security and health insurance. And the union says it has the leverage to make gains in several aspects of the three-year contract.
With a record backlog of unfilled jet orders and several aircraft in critical phases, Boeing can’t afford a lengthy work stoppage. A strike could push back Boeing’s plans to fly its already-delayed 787 Dreamliner later this year and disrupt the scaled-back number of 787 deliveries next year, noted Scott Hamilton, analyst with Leeham Co., in his weekly commentary. Boeing’s Carson told Machinists that the vote’s outcome “affects Boeing’s future, it affects your future and it affects your family’s future.”
Union leaders are reminding Machinists that 66.7 percent both need to reject the contract and then authorize a walkout. The union failed to get enough votes to stop work at Boeing in 2002 though a majority of Machinists rejected the contract. The union went on strike for 28 days against Boeing in 2005.
Should two-thirds of the Machinists vote for a work stoppage, they’ll go on strike at midnight.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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