June 9, 2005
Formal negotiations between the Machinists Union and The Boeing Company opened today, as the IAM presented a comprehensive proposal that reflected the issues identified by union members.
District 751 President Mark Blondin noted, “We are optimistic as we enter this round of bargaining. We have all been through hard times in the last few years, but we met the challenges.
Our members did the right thing, using their skills and hard work to increase productivity and efficiencies, and helped Boeing through very difficult times. We encourage Boeing to do the right thing and offer a fair contract. We recognize Boeing still has challenges to face, but if we work together to face them, we are all more successful.
The top issues facing our members at Boeing – retirement benefits, health care and job security – are the very same issues that are troubling millions of working men and women, all across America. We have an opportunity to lead the way in these negotiations to prove that realistic solutions to these problems exist if people work together.
It is our clear responsibility to negotiate a new contract: to discuss, share ideas and finally, to reach an agreement that addresses the needs of the workers and management in a fair and comprehensive way. We hope and believe Boeing is here in that same spirit,” Blondin said.
The current 36-month labor agreement expires at 12:01 a.m. September 2, 2005.
For more information, visit the District 751 negotiation update page: http://www.iam751.org/contract2005/
