The current negotiations over a labor contract between Boeing and the International Association of Machinists union provides a good illustration of what even organized union workers are up against when facing corporate Goliaths. Machinists (Local IAM District 751) at the Seattle area Boeing plants are putting up a brave fight against the takeaways that Boeing demands, and they must also contend with their parent union officials.
...Boeing workers are up against mounting threats of job losses. They are feeling it every day from the media, from politicians, from government, from Boeing, and most disgracefully, they are experiencing gross interference from their own international officers under the pretext of giving members a right to vote.However, not only does Boeing want to take away benefits from Boeing machinists, they also are demanding and getting from the state of Washington substantial benefits. Without these jobs the local economy and tax revenues to the state could be greatly impaired.
The Jan. 3 vote will be watched closely. Don’t these workers deserve our full support if ever we are to escape the spiral of concession bargaining and “race to the bottom?”
...Washington state passed legislation offering Boeing $8.7 billion in tax breaks over 16 years, the largest state corporate subsidy in U.S. history.Also, to get more details on what Boeing workers are up against, read this piece by a machinist posted on Labor Notes.
Here 35-year Machinist Jim Levitt gives a shop-floor view of the dispute, with Boeing and IAM International leaders on one side and local officers and members on the other.