IAM Workers To Walk Out At 12:01 AM
ANN REALTIME REPORTING 09.05.08 2000 EDT: It's
an announcement likely to surprise few in the industry. Late Friday
afternoon, Boeing conceded that mediated talks with the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
failed, without reaching agreement on a new collective bargaining
agreement.
As a result, nearly 27,000 employees mainly in Washington,
Oregon and Kansas will walk off the job early Saturday morning...
stalling Boeing's production lines indefinitely.
"Over the past two days, Boeing, the union and the federal
mediator worked hard in pursuing good-faith explorations of options
that could lead to an agreement. Unfortunately the differences were
too great to close," said Scott Carson, president and CEO of Boeing
Commercial Airplanes.
The IAM has called for a strike to begin at 12:01 am Saturday,
September 6. Boeing operations in Washington, Oregon and Kansas
will remain open, and employees who are not represented by the IAM
are expected to report for work as normal.
As ANN reported, on Wednesday IAM workers
voted overwhelmingly to reject Boeing's last contract proposal, and
to authorize a strike. Workers appeared restless, showing open
disdain for the union's agreement to postpone the walkout for 48
hours to give Boeing one last chance to meet their demands.
During the work stoppage, Boeing says it will support its
customers and their airplanes in service. The company will continue
delivering airplanes that were completed prior to the strike, and
will continue providing customers with spare parts.
Boeing will not be able to assemble
airplanes during the strike, however... meaning the company will
lose out on approximately $100 million for each day the strike
drags on, as the company will not be able to collect final payments
on delivered planes.
In a statement posted on the IAM's Boeing negotiations Web site,
the union remained defiant.
"The strike will commence at one minute after midnight tonight,"
the union boasts. "This Company disrespected the process, bargained
illegally and most of all, disrespected the finest Aerospace
workers anywhere on the planet by failing to meet your
expectations.
"Despite meeting late into the night and throughout the day,
continued contract talks with the Boeing Company did not address
our issues. Armed with your strong strike vote, the IAM Negotiating
Committee continues to try and convince the Company to meet our
members’ demands."