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Previous Contract Updates
Contract Update September 2nd 2008
As you go to the polls tomorrow, you are probably aware that Boeing would love nothing more than to get you to back into this deal. If they can sell this offer to one-third of the members, you back into a contract the majority have rejected – they win and have to put no more money, job security or benefits into their offer.
From the beginning, Boeing has disrespected the negotiation process. With
strong backing from our 27,000 members, Union negotiators spoke adamantly
on the issues you identified as important. The Company was just “not interested”
in addressing your issues. Now it’s up to you. Send a strong message to
The Boeing leadership with a vote to REJECT the offer and
a resounding YES to strike. A strong strike vote will show
YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED in building any more airplanes until
they meet your needs.
There are many reasons why this contract should be rejected. It is not just
what is on the surface, but it’s what lies beneath that is harmful. By any
measure – profits or backlogs, there should have been NO TAKEAWAYS
or “cost shifting” in this contract – yet Boeing has insisted.
YOU generated billions of after tax profits, which have
increased over 828% for Boeing, and yet the Company asks YOU to pay more
for medical and puts in subtle language changes that reduce benefits in
other areas of the contract.
This Company would rather risk losing $100 million dollars a day in lost
revenue than treat you with dignity and respect. If you want anything from
this Company – even after you’ve earned it, you have to fight for it.
Job security and the use of outside vendors in the workplace remain major unresolved issues. Boeing refused to make any changes to the alternate formula for retirement – even just adding in overtime so more members would qualify for this formula and have an enhanced retirement. The Union also pushed to get the 75¢ VIP match that SPEEA and other payrolls receive. Boeing acknowledged that many of our members do not even participate in the VIP so it would not actually cost them that much more, but still refused to give the 75¢ match that other payrolls currently receive.
Paid time off was another area Boeing was “not interested” in improving. Despite members working over 3.37 million hours of overtime last year, Boeing does not think you deserve even one more hour of paid time off.
If during record profits and record backlogs, we cannot get Boeing to make
improvements on theseissues this time, when will we get these long overdue
improvements?
Another reason to strike: Respect. Have you been ordered to attend meetings
to hear the Company pitch its contract negotiations spin? Have you been
pressured by managers to vote against a strike? Does Boeing really think
you can be bullied into a bad agreement?
Boeing has used the five days to try to pressure you into voting for their
offer. We’ve heard from scores of members complaining that they have been
pulled off the shop floor for mandatory meetings about the contract negotiations.
In these meetings, supervisors provide inaccurate and intimidating information
related to the upcoming strike vote. Supervisors sometimes demand to know
what you want in the contract. These meetings cross the line, and contribute
to the possibility of a strike. The Union has filed an unfair labor practice
charge against the Boeing. If you have been subjected to one of these mandatory
meetings, notify us at ULP@iam751.org
immediately to share your story.
STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!
Vote to strike to show the Company that you are the Fighting Machinists.
You will not succumb to pressure tactics. The Union has filed charges with
the National Labor Relations Board challenging Boeing’s one-on-one interrogation
of union members. Boeing’s disrespect and pressure tactics show how much
they underestimate your intelligence and courage.
Read the proposed contract and its fine print for yourselves. Decide what
you think of the offer. Ask yourself whether we will ever have another chance
to improve job security. Are takeaways in medical insurance really justified?
Your Negotiating Team unanimously recommends rejection.
But however you vote on the contract, stand up for your rights and vote
to strike.
It will send a clear message to the Company:
• You won’t be intimidated or disrespected.
• You will not tolerate Boeing violating the law, AND
• It gives your negotiators options to get you a better offer.
After tomorrow, the price goes up and Boeing will have to pay. It’s Our Time This Time!
In Solidarity
Your Union Negotiating Team