This story has moved on while I have been travelling back from NBAA and has been slightly amended as a result... Two seemingly unrelated, yet interconnected, stories are breaking within minutes of one another this evening.
Flight is reporting that first flight of the oft-delayed Boeing 787 Dreamliner is still expected to happen in the last quarter of this year, and the Seattle Times is reporting that the airframer has also resumed negotiations with its largest Union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which has been on strike for more than a month.
2008 first flight for 787 Dreamliner still the target says Boeing
By Mary Kirby
Boeing is maintaining that the 787's maiden flight will occur during the fourth quarter of this year.
A Boeing spokesman stated the airframer will have "more specific airplane performance data following flight testing. That's scheduled to happen first quarter 2009."
However the spokesman went on to clarify that Boeing are still aiming for a 2008 first flight: "When I was referring to flight testing in the first quarter, I was referring to performance flight testing. We are still planning first flight for the fourth quarter."
Boeing, Machinists will resume talks in monthlong strikeUncertainty has ruled over this last month on both the 787 program and IAM strike. Let's hope that these latest developments produce some clarity for Boeing, its employees and its customers.
By Dominic Gates
Following a top-level meeting this afternoon, Boeing and the Machinists union have agreed to go back to the table and to resume contract negotiations -- though the strike will continue.
International Association of Machinists (IAM) leaders Mark Blondin and Tom Wroblewski met in Everett with Boeing commercial airplanes chief executive Scott Carson, labor vice president Doug Kight and chief company negotiator Tom Easley.
The agreement comes on day 33 of the strike by 27,000 machinists, which has halted aircraft and parts production in the Puget Sound region, in Portland and in Wichita, Kan.
Image credit: FlightBlogger
on October 9, 2008 12:34 AM | Reply
Have any (many?) IAM workers returned to work? I remembered someone saying that workers can return and, perhaps more importantly in this economy, be paid.
on October 9, 2008 4:03 AM | Reply
It seems that officially, first flight has not slipped and the spokesman was playing with words.
From Mary Kirby's article, "However the spokesman went on to clarify that Boeing are still aiming for a 2008 first flight: "When I was referring to flight testing in the first quarter, I was referring to performance flight testing. We are still planning first flight for the fourth quarter."
That said, first flight will certainly slip into Q1 2009 given that 33 days have been lost to the strike and that final assembly schedule had already slipped prior to the strike.
on October 9, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply
From FlightGlobal.com: Just to clarify, we've corrected the story. Boeing's official schedule for 787 first flight hasn't changed. But nobody here is accusing the spokesman of "playing with words".
on October 12, 2008 9:49 AM | Reply
Well, well, well when the economy goes to hell the IAM rats run from their sinking ship called strike! I am glad to see that there are a few smart folks left in Washington. It’s time to get back to work and build airplanes. It’s also time to vote out the IAM. The Seattle area needs to clear up its image as the strike capitol of the world.
Self representation is a wonderful tool. When you sell your soul to the IAM you are only worth what they say you are worth. Many of the workers in Washington are worth far more than the IAM has bargained for; while others are worth far less.
Boeing employees who are represented by the IAM should call it to a vote to de-certify them as their employment representative. Boeing is in a position of leverage now with the economy on the ropes. Boeing has plans ready to move their BCA operations to more labor friendly climates if labor unions continue to make Washington state the capitol of strikes.
I am happy to see that both sides are back at the table and ready to make this work. Let us all hope they can come to an agreement and put the aerospace workers of this great country back to work.
Cheers and good luck!
Texans
on October 19, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply
You have really underestimated us Texan. Just like Boeing management. McNerney's focus is purely to break the union, no matter what the cost. Is it really worth Boeing having to defer 1.3 billion dollars a month in revenue? That money doesn't just get made back up. It takes years to make that money back. It is a very bad move by "the three stooges!"
Boeing has no leverage this time. They may think they do, but that remains to be seen. They are in for one hell of a long strike, if that is what they think. Boeing made 4.1 billion dollars profit last year, with only two of their five production lines going at full capacity. Once the other lines are up to speed, (and possible add another 787 line), they are going to make over double that. Probably right around 10 billion +. So quit trying to make the argument that they unions are ruining Boeing. It's a blatant lie, that Boeing would like everyone to believe. The fact is that Boeing is one of the most profitable companies in the world.
McNerney's arrogant union busting tactics are the only reason this strike is going on right now. It is up to him to end it. Oh, and if the federal government intervenes, that would be fine with all of us. At least we will be able to work with our old contract for 80 days, then back on strike. I would welcome that.