In my 50-plus years of either union membership or support of the labor movement, I cannot remember a union acting as shamelessly as the Boeing Machinists Union is right now. I know everyone is trying to keep Big “B” here and I agree, but their support of a measure in Olympia that would deny unemployment benefits to 30,000-40,000 of our state’s working poor and their families is unforgivable because it is not necessary.
There is an alternative measure that would reduce business taxes $170 million in 2004 and $50 million or more in each future year. It meets almost all of Big “B’s” demands by reducing benefits and revising the tax schedule. If the Machinists would reject the first measure and endorse the alternative, it would pass and Big “B” could declare victory in its quest to reform this state’s unemployment system. All this on the hope, not promise, that the 7E7 will be built here. A nationally recognized expert on unemployment insurance has reported that the current system is much better than the reforms being ask for by the measure being pushed by Boeing, Boeing’s union and others. Even so, they press ahead.
Solidarity, the strength of unions, is now badly damaged. Big “B” now knows that it only needs to hint at moving out of the state and its unions will do whatever is asked. The next time Big “B” forces a strike and the Machinists ask for support (solidarity), I wonder if the rest of organized labor will forgive and forget?
Former state senator
Everett
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
