Boeing Workers Vote To Strike In 2 Days

Mobile Boeing Machinists Approve 2nd Strike In 3 Years But Give Management 48 More Hours.

by Associated Press

Published: Thu, September 04, 2008 - 9:40 am CST Last Updated: Thu, September 04, 2008 - 9:43 am CST

(AP) Boeing Co. aircraft assembly workers voted overwhelming to reject the company's contract offer and strike for an unprecedented second time in three years.

Their walkout was set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific on Thursday but was put on hold after their expiring contract - covering more than 27,000 workers - was extended 48 hours at the request of Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and a federal mediator.

Machinists District Lodge 751 President Tom Wroblewski and chief machinists' negotiator Mark Blondin said, however, that if Boeing doesn't come back with an acceptable deal within 48 hours, the strike is on.

The vote late Wednesday was 87 percent in favor of a strike as unanimously recommended by machinists' union negotiators. Under union rules, a strike requires at least two-thirds support from those voting.

In separate balloting, union members also voted 80 percent to reject Boeing's third and final three-year contract offer, which included pay raises averaging 11 percent.

Boeing's three-year "best and final" offer included bonuses totaling at least $5,000, raises averaging 11 percent, pension increases and a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment - $34,000 in average pay and benefit gains per employee, according to the company.

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BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 8:27 am

They sure are loud and clear about just how political this contract is by waiting for a new president instead of worrying about the troops that are in harm’s way!
. Something needs to be done about this crapola before Boeing becomes some type of government agency.

carl Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 8:20 am

I believe that would take care of the politicians but we need to clean out a lot of the generals in the pentagon and take away some of those fat pensions, besides they don’t need it with all the money they’ll be getting from Boeing. I wonder how many will be going on Boeing’s pay roll after retirement ? I’m waiting to see what kind of spin they’ll put on this or will they just try to bluff their way through this decision.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 8:10 am

The best way to make your voice heard is to vote McCain/Palin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
. Neither one of them like these screwball contracts that puts money in the pockets of politicians at the expense of the taxpayer.

carl Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 8:06 am

By striking back I mean we should see what we can do to reduce their budgets to the painful level for them.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 7:58 am

We are at war and these jerks can’t even do the right thing about basic military equipment. Sad situation…....

carl Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 7:56 am

Yea ! I heard that about 30 minutes ago. Boeing has bought their way out again. We sure need a method to strike back at the pentagon. We got a lot of people in the pentagon that needs replacing bad, they’re letting big business control the welfare of the country.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 7:53 am

All the time and money invested in this contract….... down the drain!

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 7:51 am

UPDATE 1-Pentagon cancels tanker refueling contract rerun
. http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN1041158420080910

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 7:47 am

Pentagon has called off the Tanker competition!

The wife Says:

Thu, Sep 04, 2008 at 1:48 pm

Oh no, say it isn’t so, another Boeing contract is rejected!!!! Take all those employees to court and insist on them working until you can change the contract.