Boeing Machinists Want “Bounce-back” Benefits

SEATTLE - There are no signs of ending negotiations as the Boeing machinists undertake their second week of picketing after rejecting a three-year contract, and not without substantial cause.

The picket lines have been drawn and members of the IAM’s union can be seen holding “On Strike” sign’s, near three Boeing plants in Puget Sound, Washington, Gresham, Oregon and Wichita, Kansas.

The Boeing machinists strike was voted on and passed by 86 percent of the 18,000 IAM members and picketers began picketing on September 1. Better job security, pension plans, and insurance coverage are what the Boeing machinists are asking for.

There are two significant factors behind the Boeing machinist strike: the expiration of Boeings previous contract with IAM, and IAM’s strong rejection of Boeings new contract offer.

Boeings previous contract with IAM began in 2002. Back then there was unrest from the IAM machinists, but they could not muster up a 67 percentage vote by the machinists which would allow the union to strike. This resulted in a large number of Boeing machinists to wait three years until they could have the chance to bargain for more compensation, albeit the reason behind the lack of IAM machinist support in 2002 and the overwhelming support in 2005 have a lot to do with the economy with the machinists having an upper hand this time around.

It was both the worry and pride of the Boeing machinists that kept Boeing afloat, and most likely the reason why they choose to continue working under the contract of 2002 that decreased their benefits.

Now three years later, Boeing looks to have bounced back and shows to have 580 orders for 2005 thus far.

With this economic “bounce back” many of the IAM machinists feel that this fact is largely attributed to their hard work and by their losing under the 2002 contract.

Bounce Back but No Benefits

Yet the new contract offered by Boeing does not reflect the “bounce back” in economic returns or the hard work of the machinists because it is taking away even more benefits than the hastily accepted contract of 2002.

This is exactly why the IAM has rejected the new contract offer, and why the machinists feel confident in not crossing the picket lines.

Union member Martin A. Melewski told The Epoch Times, that the reason he has joined the strike is that, “the company takes away too many benefits employees shall have in the new contract, especially the medical insurance plan.” Another Boeing worker said, “The new pension plan and medical insurance are not fair to new hires.”

Boeing’s construction of airplanes has come to a halt, and time will only tell how long they can survive the impact of loosing orders to Airbus. As of now, Boeing has yet to contact IAM for further negotiations.