June 14, 2005

IAM and Boeing Open Negotiations

IAM Aerospace Coordinator Richard Schneider, center, presents the IAM’s contract proposals to Boeing Human Resources VP Jerry Calhoun. With Schneider are, from left, District 70 President Steve Rooney of Wichita, KS; District 751 President Mark Blondin of Seattle WA; IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger and District 24 Directing Business Representative Bob Petroff of Portland, OR. Next to Jerry Calhoun is Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Alan Mulally.

The IAM and the Boeing Company opened formal negotiations for a new contract in a meeting in Seattle, WA. The IAM presented a comprehensive proposal to senior Boeing management that reflects the important contract issues identified by IAM members.

“Our objective is to keep our members working in jobs that provide a good standard of living,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “Our partnership with Boeing in this industry is demonstrated every day as our members build the best airplanes in the world. They’ve helped Boeing turn the corner and now Boeing should do the right thing -- negotiate a contract that recognizes the vital role our members play in the company’s success.”

“We are optimistic as we enter this round of bargaining,” said District 751 President Mark Blondin. “We have all been through hard times in the last few years, but we met the challenges. 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.

The current 36-month labor agreement expires at 12:01 a.m. September 2, 2005.