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28,000 Boeing Workers Remain on Strike and More Bargaining News |
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Some 28,000 workers at Boeing remain on strike, with no negotiations since the strike began Sept. 6, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
WORK STOPPAGES AND ACTIONS
IAM, Boeing: There have been no negotiations between the 28,000 Boeing strikers, represented by the Machinists (IAM), and the company since the strike began Sept. 6 over job security, pay and benefits. Doug Kight, a negotiator for Boeing, says federal mediators are in constant contact with both sides. “The differences in our positions are wide,” says Kight. Mark Blondin, a national aerospace coordinator for IAM, concurred: “There’s no movement,” he says. Health coverage for the strikers ended Oct. 1.
IAM, Vought: Some 1,000 members of IAM Local Lodge 735 in Nashville went on strike at Vought Aircraft after voting down a contract proposal that would have frozen their defined-benefit pension and replaced it with a 401(k) plan.
AFM, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra: Musicians with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, represented by the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), have gone on strike after contract negotiations hit an impasse.
SMW, Montclair State University: Workers, represented by the Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local No. 25, demonstrated outside Montclair State University in New Jersey, calling for a subcontractor working at the school to pay its employees the state-mandated wage and to use union labor.
NEGOTIATIONS
SAG, Hollywood Studios: Screen Actors (SAG) sought to resume contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the major studios and networks, stating union members likely would vote to reject the alliance’s final offer, dated June 30. The studios responded it would not “be productive” to resume negotiations now. The two sides last met July 16. Since then, SAG’s negotiating committee voted to support a strike authorization vote to break stalled contract talks with Hollywood studios. The recommendation, approved 11–2, now goes to SAG’s national board for review and requires the approval of 75 percent of the 120,000 voting guild members.
CWA, Qwest Communications: Some 20,000 Qwest Communications workers in 13 states, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), rejected the three-year tentative agreement reached last month. Neither the union nor Qwest released vote totals, but CWA organizing coordinator Al Kogler said, “It wasn’t close.” He said union officials would call union locals to review members’ objections. Union members have authorized a strike, but have not gone out.
SETTLEMENTS
CNA/NNOC, Eden Medical Center: Nurses at Eden Medical Center, represented by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC), reached an agreement on a new three-year contract, ending 16 months of tense negotiations that resulted in nurses walking out on the job three times. The pact includes a 6 percent salary increase this year for some 600 nurses at the Castro Valley and San Leandro campuses, with an additional 14 percent increase over three years.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only. As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy; readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.
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From the I-Mail newsletter this morning:
International President Tom Buffenbarger joined IAM members this weekend on picket lines outside Boeing facilities in Everett, WA, Portland, OR and Wichita, KS, where the strike over wages, pensions, health care and job security is entering its second month.
“This strike matters to every IAM member in North America,” said Buffenbarger. “When a successful company like Boeing refuses to protect the jobs of the men and women who made those profits possible, we have no choice but to take them on.”
In a recent memo to Boeing employees, Boeing CEO James McNerney complained the strike was undermining the company’s “reputation for reliability,” a curious charge given Boeing’s recent ethical blunders, outsourcing woes and delivery snafus.
“The fact is our members have bent over backwards for this Company to make them profitable,” said Aerospace Coordinator and lead negotiator Mark Blondin. “We have participated in every lean program, new initiative and offered alternative ideas - all to make them successful. It is our members who step up and get the job done for Boeing every time. We will continue to do that, but not at the price of our jobs.”
Despite a standing IAM offer to meet with Boeing negotiators and regular contact with the federal mediator, Boeing has refused to explore proposals on job security. The IAM is seeking written contract language to ensure that jobs historically performed by Machinist Union members will continue to be performed by IAM members.
“The IAM is not on strike to harm Boeing or its customers,” said Blondin. “However, we are on strike and our members have made it clear that protection of IAM jobs and the scope of IAM work is critical to getting a ratified agreement.”
If the IAM doesn’t stay on strike, they will be settling for a “negative contract” that takes away many of the rights and benefits the union had won in past contracts. If Boeing can force a negative contract on its workers, corporate America will do the same to all union workers. Support the IAM and their fight, they are fighting for all unionized workers!