Shame on Boeing
The Boeing Company tried to take advantage of a sluggish economy, loyalty for the war effort and the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. The company wants the workers at their Seattle, Portland and Wichita facilities to sell out retirees, new hires and their own families. The workers overwhelmingly voted to tell Boeing to shove their offer.
Boeing, which has tripled their profits in the past three years - despite the foibles of the past two CEOs, who resigned in disgrace - underestimated the resolve of the nearly 20,000 workers. IAM General Vice President Lee Pearson, who leads the western territory of the IAM said, "For Boeing to use the economic climate, the war and the hurricane as a cover for their greedy behavior is sad. I am proud of our members for standing up and voting not to go backward. I applaud their decision not to accept an offer that would hurt workers at Boeing for generations to come. These workers are true heroes, and are fighting to protect the benefits that the entire industry has gained over the past half century. For Boeing to attack retirees, and new workers is shameful. Our members were left with no choice."
-- An overwhelming 86% of members vote to strike Boeing over the issues of pensions, health care and job security. Get the latest news and information about what you can do to support the strikers at www.IAM751.org.
Boeing news: ■ In today’s Everett Herald -- ON STRIKE -- "We're going to have the most solid strike in the history of this union."
■ In today’s Seattle P-I -- Machinists on strike -- Given Boeing's brighter prospects, workers are demanding a better contract.
■ In today's Seattle Times -- Strike is on -- IAM's Blondin: "They had their way with our members in 2002. I think they thought they were going to use their same cut and divide tactics they used last time (to avoid a strike). They gambled again and they lost."
■ In today’s LA Times -- Boeing Machinists strike -- The job action could not come at a worse time for Boeing, which has ramped up production to meet rising demand for its jetliners.
■ In today's Seattle Times -- Feds hold up Boeing's plan to outsource 787 work to China -- Chinese President Hu Jintao is expected to visit a Boeing factory when his U.S. tour begins in Seattle on Labor Day. (Here's an image: Our "valued trading partner," the leader of a government that suppresses its citizens' freedoms at the point of a gun -- including their freedom of association -- being escorted across a picket line by state and U.S. government dignitaries ON LABOR DAY.)
