Machinists Union Helps Deliver T.A.A. Benefits for Laid-off Boeing Workers

Several thousand laid-off Boeing Co. workers have been granted additional federal assistance because of action taken by the International Association of Machinists.

Acting on a new petition filed by the Machinists Union District 751, the U.S. Department of Labor ruled that Boeing workers are eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Act, which provides special assistance to workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign competition. This ruling covers Boeing workers at plants throughout Puget Sound and in Portland, Ore, who were laid off on or after May 22, 2008. The benefits will be extended to cover any workers laid off over the next two years. Read more.

Health Care Open Enrollment for Members at Boeing - Nov. 10 thru Dec. 3

Employees at Boeing represented by IAM 751 will be asked to select their health and dental insurance coverage for 2010 during the annual enrollment period, which runs November 10 through December 3. Any changes employees make during open enrollment will go into effect on January 1, 2010. You will receive more information in the mail from Boeing and can make benefit plan changes through your TotalAccess account.

Keep in mind this open enrollment is to complete our transition to a calendar year plan beginning January 1, 2010. If you don't take action during the open enrollment period, your current benefit choices will continue automatically and the new monthly contributions will apply. Read more.

November 09 Aero Mechanic Newspaper online

Click here to download the November 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (2.1 mb).

Message from District President Tom Wroblewski to 751 Members in Response to Doug Kight's 10/29/09 Memo

October 29, 2009 - "I'd like to respond to Doug Kight's e-mail to managers explaining what he says were the stumbling blocks that kept us from reaching an agreement to keep the second 787 line in Everett. It's misleading, it's disappointing and it's not truthful. Read more..

Statement of District President Tom Wroblewski in Response to Second 787 Line Announcement

October 28, 2009 - "Boeing has betrayed our loyalty once again, walking away
from our discussions just like they walked away from Seattle eight years ago
to move to Chicago. Read more..

Results of Local 751-F Election from October 14

Thanks to all the members who took the time to vote in the Local 751-F elections. Click here for results.

 

October 09 Aero Mechanic Newspaper online

Click here to download the October 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (2.4 mb).

No Changes to IAM/Boeing Joint Programs Education Assistance Program

Boeing's announced changes on September 25 to their Learning Together Program (LTP) apply to salaried non-union employees only. There are no changes to the IAM/Boeing Joint Programs Education Assistance Program because we have a Union contract in place.

Washington Climbs Business-Climate RankingsForbes Now Ranks State No. 2 in Nation

This week brought three new reports that all indicate Washington state is extending its comparative advantage over other states for having low taxes, less regulation, a skilled and productive workforce, and other factors that make it one of the best states in the nation to do business. The new Forbes 2009 business-climate rankings released Wednesday boosted Washington one spot from last year to the 2nd best state in the nation. Our state also jumped three spots to No. 9 for its business-friendly tax policies as judged by the conservative Tax Foundation. And the economic development think tank Cfed, gave Washington an "A" in its assessment of wealth, poverty and family financial security.Looks like the WSLC will have to update its "Outside the Echo Chamber" reports with all the good news. This series of reports examines objective analyses of our state's competitiveness and refutes internal agenda-driven criticism of the state business climate by some business lobbying groups and politicians. Read more.

Machinists Ready to Assist Boeing in Securing Air Force Tanker

We believe that Boeing's KC-767 represents a "win-win-win" for American, in that it's the best option for the war fighter, best option for the taxpayer, and the best option for the U.S. economy. We also believe that the new tanker procurement planned outlined by the Air Force today will prove our contention. As the Secretary said in his comments, it's clear that the Air Force is looking for a "mature" and proven airframe: "This is not a Manhattan Project where new inventions are called for."
Boeing recently unveiled a great new website: www.unitedstatestanker.com. At the site you can learn about the need for a new mid-air refueling tanker, read about Boeing's history developing, building and improving tankers since the 1940s, read about Boeing's KC-7A7 tanker specifications and more.We think this approach clearly favors the Boeing bid: Airbus is still trying to invent its first aerial refueling boom, which is a piece of military technology that Boeing pioneered. In addition, Airbus and Northrop Grumman are proposing to invent an entirely new kind of trans-Atlantic manufacturing process for their proposed KC-30 jet, using a brand new joint venture to assemble European jets in an American factory that has not been built, with a workforce that has not been hired, let alone trained. The Boeing alternative - using a proven, experienced workforce in an existing factory, supported by a network of established suppliers - is working for the U.S. Navy with the P-8A Poseidon, and it will work even better for the Air Force with the KC-767.
Read more.

Employees Community Fund Puget Sound Seeking Trustee Applications

Would you like to make a difference in the future of your neighborhood? Please consider running for the Employees Community Fund Puget Sound Board of Trustees. Through October 21st, Puget Sound area employees who contribute to the ECF Puget Sound pooled fund can apply to be Board candidates. As a Board Trustee you will visit specific non-profit agencies, review grant requests and help decide which programs will be funded by ECF Puget Sound. Questions can be directed to Colette Ogle at (206) 544-9246 or Tony Vevea at (425) 760-3391. Please visit the trustee application web page (on Boeing internal web) for more information and to complete the nomination form. http://community.web.boeing.com/nwregion/ei_ecf_trusteeapplic.cfm

September 09 Aero Mechanic Newspaper online

Click here to download the September 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (2.4 mb).

National Health Care Reform Information

July 10, 2009 - With almost 20 years inside the health insurance industry, Wendell Potter saw for-profit insurers hijack our health care system and put profits before patients. Now, he speaks with Bill Moyers about how those companies are standing in the way of health care reform.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html
Click the link above to watch the Interview. (30 mins but real and informative)Questions and Answers to common questions and misinformation -
The White House Reality Check Web Site
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

Voluntary Layoff Benefits Option Offered at Boeing

The Union and the Boeing Company continue to work to find ways to mitigate layoffs and in July reached a tentative agreement to allow some IAM 751-represented employees to volunteer for layoff with benefits. This option has not been offered to hourly IAM members since 1993. The Union has made several attempts to reinstate the program in previous layoff cycles.The program is intended to provide another option for reducing the workforce in a way that allows the Boeing Company to retain employees with critical skills while allowing eligible IAM members with the opportunity to apply to be voluntarily laidoff."The Union renewed its push for this option when job cuts were first announced earlier this year. The theory is to offer an option that will accommodate the needs of individual employees, help the Company retain the skills it needs, and at the same time reduce the number of employees being surplussed. I appreciate Boeing working with us to offer this program to hourly members," stated District 751 President Tom Wroblewski. "This is especially appealing for those members who were planning to retire anyway. It is a win-win situation and allows those who want to leave another option, along with some additional benefits."
Click here to learn more.



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