Strike Update October 22, 2008

Strike Update - October 22, 2008

Despite the turmoil and financial conditions of Wall Street, Boeing remains highly profitable with a record $349 billion backlog (up 7%). While Boeing CEO James McNerney acknowledged profits were down, earnings for the third quarter still netted $695 million. Keep in mind third quarter earnings reflect reduced profits (dropped 38%), 35 missed deliveries, and 24 days of our current strike.

District 751 President Tom Wroblewski issued the following statement in response to Boeing's 3rd Quarter Earnings Report:

"Obviously, this Company continues to have record backlogs, success, and sizeable profits - demonstrating Boeing has the ability to better share this success with Machinists Union members who generate the profits.

It would be a better business decision and a better investment to have made a fair contract offer with Machinists Union members. Partnering with the Union for the future is the best way to ensure success and to embrace the ideas our members can bring forward. There was no reason the Company needed to come at this Union with takeaways. These bad decisions contributed to this strike. Customers want their planes, shareholders want their value, and our members want to get back to building the best airplanes in the world.

We hope Boeing comes to the bargaining table tomorrow to resolve this strike, rather than simply giving the CEO a convenient answer to what this Company is doing to resolve the strike. McNerney should have to justify the lost revenue and answer why they continue to keep their employees on the picket line.

The Machinists were not involved in the decision to outsource the 787, which took airplane production out of Boeing's control. Although the strike might be a convenient excuse for production delays, these delays started 15 months ago because of global suppliers. The best way to get the 787 and Boeing back on track is to put the correct people to work, and that is the Machinists' Union members. Every time Boeing has problems, it is our Machinists Union members and SPEEA members who lead the way to success.

Our strike is about Boeing trying to bring outside non-union vendors they can't control into our workplace to replace our members. Many of their own managers have admitted this is not working, but Boeing continues on this path. The 787 is being delayed because of Boeing's flawed globally outsourced production system and has nothing to do with this strike.

There was no reason for the outsourcing, health care takeaways and other negative components to Boeing's best and final contract offer. In fact, this strike was unnecessary. With substantial profits and backlogs, our members expected Boeing to be fair and share the profits so they could grow with the success of the Company. Again, we hope that this new round of talks that begin tomorrow will be the answer to resolving this strike."

Chiropractic Services

Southcenter Chiropractic - a member of the AFL-CIO (662 Strander Blvd in Tukwila - corner of West Valley and Strander. Phone 425-204-1575) is offering to defer payments and insurance billings for our members throughout the strike. Ask about our free trigger point massage. scchiro@gmail.com

Hemphill Chiropractic in Renton (365 Renton Center Way SW, Suite F. Phone 425-226-7061) is offering to defer payments and insurance billings for our members throughout the strike.

Innovative Chiropractic & Massage - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Innovative Chiropractic and Massage will be providing free 5 min massage at the Everett IAM hall. Innovative is also honoring members' health care benefits during the strike. This means that all members will only be responsible for a copay or deductible while under care. Innovative Chiropractic will absorb any costs above the copay or deductible during the strike. We feel strongly about serving members of IAM during and after the strike.
Our address is 1700 132nd St. Mill Creek, WA. 98012. Phone number is 425-338-1555
Website is innovativechiro.com. We also will be offering a 10% discount for all IAM members after the strike.