I worked for Boeing for 24 years, as a mechanic, lead mechanic, AOG mechanic and then was asked to go into management, which I did. Yes, Boeing workers make good wages and should be able to save money on their own for retirement. But if you compare Boeing retirement with other jobs that take the same toll on a mechanic’s body, then Boeing is far behind in paying their employees a decent retirement.
If you get hurt and file a Labor &Industries claim, then you’re taken out of the loop. Career advancement – you might as well forget about that. I had 24 years in, Boeing had sent me on many trips overseas and in the U.S., but when I got hurt and had to file the L&I claim, that was it, job over with. Boeing medically laid me off. I had five surgeries on my shoulders and two on my hands. I also have two blown discs in my lower back that prevent me from doing many things with my wife and kids.
I have been fighting this since 2001. The Boeing doctors said I was making all this up, so I had to pay for MRIs and X-rays to prove my point. After all the tests, Boeing still fought me. I lost everything I had worked for and filed for bankruptcy. This was after I had given them 24 years.
If a person can survive 25-30 years of working for Boeing they will need a better pension with health benefits to care for themselves. As you stated in your article, this is a graying, older work force that deserves the benefits. The point I got from Boeing was if you’re hurt you’re useless and they really don’t care.
Mark Valles
Everett
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