From: IAM751.org
October 27, 2008 – Machinists in Tentative Deal with Boeing
NOTE: Details on the agreement will be posted on the website tomorrow.
The
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
announced today that it reached a tentative agreement with the Boeing
Company on a contract that will provide job security for its members
and limit the amount of work outside vendors can perform in the
workplace.The
agreement was hammered out over a five-day period with assistance from
federal mediators and participation at the bargaining table by IAM
International President Tom Buffenbarger and IAM General Vice President
Rich Michalski. Additional resources and technical support was provided
by various departments at IAM headquarters.Job
security and the use of vendors were key issues in the strike that
began on Sept. 6, 2008. Among the other issues resolved in the latest
round of bargaining were wage rates, health care benefits for current
and future employees, pension improvements and work rule changes
designed to improve productivity.Full
details of the 4-year accord will be withheld until they can be
compiled and distributed to IAM members in all Boeing locations.The
tentative agreement has the unanimous endorsement of the IAM
negotiating committee and will be presented to members for a
ratification vote, which will take place in 3-5 days. A simple majority
is required to ratify the tentative agreement.“After
52 days of striking, we have gained important and substantial
improvements over the Company’s last, best and final offer that was
rejected on September 3rd. Your solidarity brought Boeing back to the
table and made this Company address your issues,” stated District 751
President Tom Wroblewski. “Each of you stood up and did your part to
win this battle, which was a fight against more than just Boeing, but
against corporate America. Boeing is profitable because of our members’
hard work and by standing together our members ensured they receive a
bigger share of those profits.”“This
tentative agreement is the result of hard work and great sacrifice by
many people,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin. “But no one
deserves more credit than the workers at Boeing, who conducted
themselves with dignity and determination throughout this ordeal. On
behalf of the entire negotiating committee, I want to say it has been
our honor to serve as their representatives.”
This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.
This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.