Determination To Be Made By National Labor Relations Board

Boeing has been notified that the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union has petitioned the National Labor Relations Board a second time for a union election at the company's North Charleston, SC facilities. The first petition was filed by the IAM on March 16, 2015, and withdrawn just days before the April 22 scheduled vote.

If the NLRB permits it, a vote will be scheduled for eligible teammates to decide whether they will turn over their rights to the IAM or keep a direct relationship with the company.

"Our team has achieved an impressive list of amazing and historic accomplishments here in South Carolina in a remarkably short period of time, without the IAM," said Joan Robinson-Berry, Boeing South Carolina vice president and general manager. "We've done it thanks to a belief – shared by our teammates – that we could build something special here through a commitment to working together for mutual success.

"We have not forgotten the IAM's history in South Carolina, including their repeated insults regarding our teammates' abilities, their contract with Vought that took away many of the benefits those teammates already had, their attempt to keep Boeing from building 787s in South Carolina through their claim with the NLRB, and their abandoned petition in April 2015. There's simply no reason to believe that anything has changed between then and now."

Boeing firmly believes that a union is not in the best interest of Boeing South Carolina teammates and their families, their communities, and the state of South Carolina, and has consistently held that position for several years.

"One of the great things about Boeing South Carolina is that our teammates already have a voice, and their ideas, concerns and feedback have driven many changes for the better, and continue to do so today," said Robinson-Berry. "Because of our unique ability to work together, we're able to develop and implement those changes quickly for maximum benefit. We believe our teammates deserve to keep their hard-earned money in their pockets while continuing to work with the company to drive meaningful change."

The IAM takes a different view of its attempts to organize workers at the South Carolina campus. The union said in a news release that workers have remained in contact with IAM organizers in recent months regarding numerous workplace concerns that remain unaddressed, including subjective raises, inconsistent scheduling policies and a lack of respect on the shop floor.

“Boeing workers just want to be treated with the respect they deserve,” said IAM Boeing SC Lead Organizer Mike Evans. “Why should they be subject to a different set of standards and rules than folks building the exact same plane in Seattle?”

The filing comes after the IAM was forced to postpone a scheduled April 22, 2015 union election due to unprecedented political interference on the part of South Carolina lawmakers and the rampant spread of misinformation among Boeing workers.

“It was impossible to hold a free and fair election in an environment so ripe with mistruths and outright lies. Unfortunately, we’ve now heard numerous reports of the company walking people off the job for seeking a voice,” said Evans. “Despite the obstacles, we feel this group is ready to take a stand. The only way to secure the workplace improvements they deserve is through a union-negotiated collective bargaining agreement.”

The NLRB is expected to issue election dates and locations in the coming weeks. The IAM is committed to ensuring Boeing workers have the opportunity to make their voice heard in an atmosphere free of intimidation and harassment.

“I can unequivocally say there will be a vote this time around,” said Evans. “We’ve met with numerous workers at Boeing in recent months and are confident they will see through any attempts by the company to divert attention away from the numerous workplace issues that need fixed.”

(Source: Boeing, IAM news releases. Images from file)

FMI: www.boeing.com. www.boeingworkers.com