Previous Contract Updates

Main Table

Today, the union made a complete first counter proposal on the entire contract. Each subcommittee negotiator worked into the morning hours putting together this comprehensive counter offer. It’s an aggressive offer and the Company will have to step it up to meet the expectations of an angry workforce. There is only one way to continue building airplanes after September 3rd and that is for the Company to come down from their corporate tower and get interested in meeting the demands of our members.

The Company has raised our members’ expectations with their insulting proposals. We had reports of members saying at this stage in the process, the company has angered the workforce so much, “they could put gold bars on the table and we wouldn’t buy it”. Massive overtime, fixing management’s ethical lapses and insulting offers make for a very bad September for the Company. Some are saying the Company has pushed them to the brink of withholding their labor out of principle.

The Union’s counter proposal included a substantial increase on the pension, substantial GWI’s in every year, additional money for members in progression, shortening progression, retiree medical for all employees, pensions for all employees, elimination of two-tier retiree medical, improvements to the alternate retirement formula, eliminating early retirement penalty, improvements in health care, dental, life insurance and disability, front loaded sick leave which will result in accrual of at least an additional 40 hours vacation. Our proposal also included language to improve job security, as well as many other areas.

Subcommittees are continuing to meet and waiting for a Company response to our economic proposal.

Media Full Court Press

Just as we said they would, the Company has purchased very expensive radio ads and will probably use the local newspapers for free advertising to portray our members as greedy. There are people assigned to write comments in all the newspapers about how good you have it. It is just more psychological game playing, trying to guilt you from all fronts as not having it so bad. This Company will stop at nothing to paint a picture to suit their needs. Again, put that money on the table instead of trying to sell a bad deal.

We Set The Bar

Machinists as well as all union members raise the standard of living for all workers. We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish raising the standards of the middle class. Our wages and benefits contribute to improving the standards for workers in our communities. The general public benefits from what we are able to negotiate. If a profitable Company like Boeing passes on health care costs, other employers will also put more costs onto their workers. Our members are the ones supporting the community in restaurants, grocery stores, and other local small businesses. But Machinists go a step further, we give back to our communities. The guilt card won’t play well, not this time or any other time.

It’s Our Time This Time!

In Solidarity

Your Union Negotiating Team