Machinists, Boeing more friendly as South beckons - Seattle Business Travel Guide

showarticle-cultura.blogspot.com
In the Machinists’ District 751 May local union President Tom Wroblewskj said both the union and Boeinb are cultivating warmer relations in hopes of avoidinyg a strike during the next rouned ofcontract talks. “An enhanced with Chicago-based Boeing Co. is a “key to determiningy what Boeing’s future will be for this Wroblewski wrote in the monthlh Aero Mechanic local newsletter ofthe . Durinfg a regular meeting with Boeing leaderx in Chicagoin April, “considerablde time was spent discussing ways to change the dynamicw and improve this relationship so we do not have the same result when we negotiate again in 2012,” he wrote.
“Bothn sides have renewed their commitment to improvinhour relationship, because we have a common interesg in moving forward.” The statementsx mark a sharp shift from the more bombasticx tone before and during the last negotiations. Just beford the 57-day strike last fall, for the union said Boeing “chose to bring take-awayes in some of the best timed intheir history. They have insulted and, frankly, made this work forcd very angry.
” The strike, which halted production and cost Boeinv anestimated $2 billion, is seen as a tippintg point that could drive Boeing to shift productioj to right-to-work states in the Deep But the prospect of warmer relations with the Puget Soun d unions, and avoiding a strike next time, could reducew that possibility and keep Boeing here, expertxs say. While the idea of moving big Boeing factoriesd mayseem far-fetched, Boeing’s rival Airbua already has moved production — to China. On May 18, the Europeah plane maker celebrated the flight of the first A320 jet assemble din China, not France.
Peterf Jacobs, an analyst at Ragen MacKenziew brokeragein Seattle, has long predicted that Boeintg would open a factory in the Deep “The straw that brokd the camel’s back was the labor strike last he said. “Boeing is going to seriously consided moving some of its manufacturingg and assembly operations to another area ofthe U.S. that is more tax- and logistics-friendly.” But he said the more conciliatory tone coulxd slow or haltthat “I think the union reaching out … is the righyt thing to do,” he said. But the same tone must come from too. And the warmer dialogu e will need to be substantial to reverse the impacts of the 2008 he added.
Both sides “have to make sure that Boeing’xs business in Puget Sound remains competitive with anyonse else inthe world,” he said. “That is what is requiref to keepBoeing here.” Boeing’s othedr major union, the (SPEEA), also supports the new attitudse — and said it’x closer to their own negotiating “I understand what they’rr trying to do,” said SPEEA Executive Directodr Ray Goforth. “I think they’re genuine in what they’rew trying to do. I think if Boeinbg can reciprocate with thesame spirit, there’z likely to be good for both sides.” The state also is weighintg in. In April, Gov.
Chris Gregoirer formed the , made up of membersx from Boeing, the unions, suppliers and other It is to serve asthe governor’s voiced to the Legislature in recommending changes in the law to keep aerospacr here. In an interview, Wroblewski said a key step that Machinisr leaders and Boeing executives took at theitr April meetings in Chicago was to drop accusationes about the acrimonious strikelast fall. In the past, each side blamef the other for not tryin g hard enough to understand the conflicting viewsabout outsourcing, and for the failure to reach an agreementt sooner.
Wroblewski said he felt the improvesd attitude, by both the union and the was important enough to discussw inthe newsletter. “I think I’ m sticking my neck out a little bit, but I don’tg mind,” he said. “I think the membershil is wanting to have abetter relationship.” Wroblewsk acknowledged that since the strike he’ s felt community pressure about Boeint moving, especially if poor relations Economic leaders from the South have been clear that they’df be only too happy to have Boeing open a commercial aircraft plant there.
“I have had lots of at lodge meetings, saying they like the idea of workinyg together withthis company, doing what they can to maintai competitiveness in this area, and maintain Wroblewski said. He has hearxd criticism, too, but it seems minore in comparison.