As we end 2002 and look forward to 2003, I want to personally thank each member of this Union for your hard work and support throughout the year. It is the members that truly are the heart of this organization and it is you, the members, who make our Union great. Together, we have shown that we can make a difference - in the workplace, in the political arena and in our communities.
Contract EnforcementThroughout the year with hard work and assistance from shop stewards and members, our Union was able to continually protect Union members' contractual rights. Nearly every day a member is compensated when the Company violates the contract they signed. In 2002 alone, the settlement amount for these hundreds of grievances totaled over half a million dollars for members. Thanks to the Business Representatives, shop stewards, and members, who stepped forward to provide evidence, investigate the violations and ensure that proper compensation was received.
Budget Reductions
While the Union had significantly less financial resources as nearly 7,000 members were laid-off, we managed to tighten our belt and maintain our services while reducing expenses to keep our Union operating in the black. Even with reduced operating funds, the Union sponsored a very successful Membership Appreciation Fair in late June that offered a day of fun for tens of thousands of active, laid-off and retired members and their families.
Legislative Success
Nearly every month, we have had encouraging announcements from the legislative arena - for our laid-off members, as well as the active members. This demonstrates why our Union is involved in politics because much of our benefits and gains made at the table are impacted by what happens in the legal system.
With help from Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, as well as the entire Washington Congressional delegation, we succeeded in getting Congress to approve the lease of 767 military tankers. This order will help stabilize rates on that airplane line and provide job security to some of our members.
Currently, the Union is working closely with SPEEA and elected officials to explore filing a countervailing duty petition or dumping charges to level the playing field with Airbus. This action is designed to help Boeing secure additional airplane orders by making sure orders are awarded because of the merits of the product. We hope to have more definitive information in the near future.
Laid-off Union members have benefitted from federal unemployment extensions, state unemployment extensions, and Trade Act Adjustment benefits - all obtained in 2002. These additional benefits will help them while they transition to new careers and sustain them through their selected retraining programs. The Union continues to work closely with both state and federal officials to not only preserve work here at Boeing, but to create new manufacturing jobs in this region, as well.
Yet our political success is not limited to our members in Western Washington. When high electric rates forced Alcoa in Wenatchee to stop aluminum production, political action brokered an agreement to keep members on the payroll cleaning up and improving the plant, while Alcoa sold its power for profit during the energy crisis. When plant cleanup was completed, Alcoa assigned members to community projects such as road clean-ups, wheelchair ramps and other service programs while they await the restart of production. To that end, the Union worked closely to ensure that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) will continue to offer power at reasonable rates to Alcoa so these jobs will remain a vital part of the economy.
Political pressure in the Tri-Cities restored funding for the nationally-recognized HAMMER training facility. Recently, this center is being considered to head-up training for the newly organized Homeland Security Department.
Helping Our Communities
The Union's work was not limited to just workplace or political issues. In nearly every community where members work and live, volunteers have made a difference. Over 1,000 volunteer hours were put into various projects that include building wheelchair ramps, serving food at area missions, road cleanup projects, various food drives, raising money for Guide Dogs of America, constructing playgrounds, collecting coats, blankets and toys, sorting food at Northwest Harvest, rallying to assist other Unions and much, much more.
It would be impossible to measure how many lives have been impacted by these actions, but one thing is sure - this Union has improved the quality of life through collective bargaining, political action and community service for our members (active, laid-off and retired), as well as those in the surrounding community. It is something we should all be proud of.
It has been a very tough year. We have many of our members out of work. We had bitter negotiations with Boeing. But we cannot forget our successes in Eastern and Western Washington. I personally look forward to next year, and with hard work, commitment, and dedication from all, we will again be successful. On behalf of your Union leadership, we wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season.