This is a breaking story and will be updated as more details become available.
SEATTLE -- The International Association of Machinists, Boeing's largest union, has voted to strike, rejecting Boeing's "best and final" offer for a new three-year contract.
UPDATE 9:51 PM: IAM leadership has agreed to return to the bargaining table with Boeing to continue to negotiate a contract with aNRLB Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service appointed mediator in exchange for a 48-hour hold in the commencement of any strike. IAM members present angrily reacted and indicated that the 87% vote in favor of a strike and 80% rejection of the contract should stand initiating a strike at 12:01 AM. Currently, no strike is authorized.
UPDATE 9:45 PM: IAM leadership indicates Boeing is ready to return to the table, in exchange for 48 hour delay in strike. Union members present react with expletives, mostly of the four-letter variant.
UPDATE 9:41 PM: IAM votes 87% in favor of a strike. 80% reject contract. Jetliner production halts at 12:01 AM.
UPDATE 9:39 PM: "The Final Countdown" blares as Union Leadership enters the press conference hall.
IAM: "You don't tell us what our members want, we tell you what our members want."
UPDATE 9:27 PM: Official confirmation of a tally is not yet available.
This will be the first time the IAM has voted in favor of a strike in back-to-back contract negotiations. The union's 2005 strike lasted for 28 days.
SEATTLE -- The International Association of Machinists, Boeing's largest union, has voted to strike, rejecting Boeing's "best and final" offer for a new three-year contract.
UPDATE 9:51 PM: IAM leadership has agreed to return to the bargaining table with Boeing to continue to negotiate a contract with a
UPDATE 9:45 PM: IAM leadership indicates Boeing is ready to return to the table, in exchange for 48 hour delay in strike. Union members present react with expletives, mostly of the four-letter variant.
UPDATE 9:41 PM: IAM votes 87% in favor of a strike. 80% reject contract. Jetliner production halts at 12:01 AM.
UPDATE 9:39 PM: "The Final Countdown" blares as Union Leadership enters the press conference hall.
IAM: "You don't tell us what our members want, we tell you what our members want."
UPDATE 9:27 PM: Official confirmation of a tally is not yet available.
This will be the first time the IAM has voted in favor of a strike in back-to-back contract negotiations. The union's 2005 strike lasted for 28 days.
on September 4, 2008 12:26 AM | Reply
disappointing......not good news
on September 4, 2008 1:19 AM | Reply
Returning to the negotiating table is a good sign that neither side wishes a strike. Federal mediator called in may help. This almost looks like a pre strike arrangement. It is in everybody's interest to get this settled so all can move on...especially the 787
on September 4, 2008 2:37 AM | Reply
Yes, very disappointing. As frustrating as outsourcing has been for Boeing, does the IAM think this vote is going to help their cause? I'm guessing a cautious Boeing will spread the work out even more, to insure against something like this happening. Could the final result be that some Boeing aircraft are assembled completely outside of the United States?
It's like the IAM senses a weak Boeing, and instead of realizing that a weak Boeing hurts them, they see it as a chance to insert and twist the knife even further.
on September 4, 2008 8:37 AM | Reply
IAM has this backwords, Union strikes force companies to outsource. IAM needs to partner quickly. It isn't them against Boeing. It's USA competing against the world. IAM is being short sighted. A small win now just adds fuel to the fire for more outsourcing. There is still time to partner and build the best airplanes that we can.
Boeing isn't perfect. They are pigheaded and stubborn, but we have to build these planes. Do not play the strike card. That might win the battle, but it will lose the war. I am not sure that the american worker really appreciates the danger that they are in. We have a very high standard of living. The highest in the world, but we have to manufacture goods that compete globally. Building these airplanes is critical to our economy and our country. The rest of the world is watching us and laughing as we make it harder for ourselves to compete.
on September 4, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply
Oh well, the government bails out Boeing again.
Outsourcing is a panacea for Boeing. Look at the 787.
Also, the largest outsourced arena is Spirit, which really is just a little Boeing (except Turner made much more than the Boeing CEO - lets check this out).
So, Jon asked the question; what is the answer? Can a strike hide 787 problems or allow Boeing more time?
on September 4, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply
I agree with Dave's comments. It seems as if the IAM leadership doesn't fully understand why Boeing, and many other manufacturers in other industries, are outsourcing more and more. A large part of the problem rests squarely on their shoulders with exactly this type of situation!
Boeing management's responsibility is to ensure that their products are produced profitably. If their employees are willing to strong-arm the company to put their own interests first and put programs that are already on a tight timetable into further delay, who would blame Boeing for not wanting to move any amount of the production to a more stable workforce?
There was a time when unions did some very good things in this country and fought on behalf of the employees to ensure fair treatment and competitive wages. I find it hard to believe that Boeing's "Best and Final" offer was neither fair nor competitive. To me, this strike smells of greed and anger, plain and simple, fueled by a corrosive "Us versus Them" mentality.
Let's hope cooler heads prevail and that an agreement can be reached before the situation escalates.
Oh, and I know what I've said has probably infuriated a few people, so... Fire away, union members! Gimme your best shot! :-)
on September 4, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply
I am APWU member in maintenance. I could not agree more with Rick and Dave. Unions in the USA have no one to blame for automation and outsourcing programs but themselves. These guys take absolutely no risk but think they should be equal partners in a succesful program. If you want to share in the success, buy the stock in your 401k plans. What a bunch of primadonnas.
on September 4, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply
Greed is one of the devils candies.
I hope that the union goes out on strike!
Keep this in mind, all of us in Texas are watching and now wooing Chicago to give the non-union aerospace workers of Texas a shot at building planes for Boeing.
Texas has a well trained and eager workforce ready to take on the task. Texans are not greedy in fact we are hard workers that are proud to do a hard days work for a days pay. We also know how to say "Thank You".
So go ahead and walk out! Walk out knowing that Texas is working hard to bring your jobs to the "Lone Star State"
Texans for a new Boeing begining :-)