The Boeing request was rejected by the union

KOMO News

A week ago, the initiated the strike after 96% of members voted to reject the company’s new contract offer.
Boeing says CEO Kelly Ortberg is directly involved in the negotiations to end the strike.
IAM 751 leadershipthe first round of mediation wasn’t productive.
It takes a little bit to get our feet under us,” said IAM 751 president Jon Holden.
“If this goes on for a month, I’m going to be on the picket line fighting for something better,” IAM 751 member Gabby Politsch told KOMO News on Friday.

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The Boeing aerospace engineers’ union turned down the company’s request to put employees on furlough in an attempt to save money.

According to the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), this week’s voluntary furloughs were rejected by the board in a unanimous vote.

“We don’t see any compelling reason to change our collective bargaining agreement’s provisions,” stated John Dimas, president of SPEEA. “We rejected the request. Furloughs are prohibited by law under our contracts, which are still in effect. “.

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Prior to this week, when management was negotiating with IAM District 751, the machinists union, Boeing’s CFO Brian West stated that the company was “last focused” on cash conservation.

We have an obligation to do everything within our power to maintain continuity in the interim.

Non-union workers are required by the company to take an unpaid week off each month during the walkout. After 96 percent of members voted to reject the company’s new contract offer, the members decided to go on strike one week ago.

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The company’s production facilities located in the Pacific Northwest are currently at a standstill due to the ongoing strike. According to Boeing, CEO Kelly Ortberg is actively participating in talks to put an end to the strike.

West stated, “[Ortberg] is personally engaged and focused on restoring our trust with our people and the union, and that’s a priority, resetting that relationship.”. “And our intention is to return to the negotiating table in order to come to a decision that benefits our people, their families, and our community. “.

First-round mediation didn’t yield any results, according to IAM 751 leadership.

“When a strike first starts, things get a little crazy. IAM 751 President Jon Holden stated, “It takes a little while to get our feet under us.”. “In this case, our members are in the right. They are battling for justifiable causes. We felt it was an unfair contract considering our wages and health insurance. Our seriousness about our desires and rights was evident from the numbers. “.

Boeing will be severely impacted by the strike, according to aviation industry consultant Scott Hamilton.

Hamilton stated, “I’ve seen estimates that say it costs Boeing $100 million a day.”. “Boeing in a far stronger position than it is now, it took Boeing two years to recover from the 2008 strike.”. “.

After taking over earlier this summer while Boeing was attempting to address quality issues brought to light by a mid-air incident in January, the strike is one of Ortberg’s first significant tests.

“We really need to finish this,” but Ortberg isn’t intervening, Hamilton said, which is really disappointing.

Picketing employees are still present outside the Pacific Northwest locations of the company.

“I will be on the picket line fighting for something better if this continues for a month,” IAM 751 member Gabby Politsch stated to KOMO News on Friday. We will stay here for as long as it takes to secure a good contract, whether it takes two or three months. “.

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