Boeing vs. The Union

Greedy, despicable human beings.

I’m not a fan of unions. I’m glad they were formed, because back then, workers were not being treated well enough. Establishing family-friendly 40-hour workweeks and ensuring worker safety were important steps forward. However, when unions only aim is to suck their employer dry, that’s really sickening.

Unions hold the cards, because they can put the company out of business with a prolonged strike. Unions can be greedy, and their leaders sometimes think only of what they can get out of management, rather than what is fair or what is needed.

Consider Boeing. They’re in the middle of a global buying frenzy for new planes. They have billions in orders, and an 8-year backlog. Boeing has delayed plane deliveries, and a potential work-stoppage now could increase penalties for delayed planes.

Here comes the union.

They came with their demands, including a list of specific ones that would trigger a strike. Of course, they were asking for the world, and Boeing couldn’t deliver on all of the workers’ wishlist items.

Now, the IAM (the union of Machinists) has recommended that its members vote down Boeing’s offer. The vote is to take place Wednesday.

There is already some extreme opposition to the IAM showing up online. Over at the Seattle times, commenter Bret from Spokane says:

The union has gotten way out of hand. Fair labor was the goal of unions when they were necessary. This union is bent on bringing the company to its knees. The union’s position and tactics disgust me and seem a perversion of the original purpose of the union system.

Bob from Seattle gives an additional view:

Honestly, they should all be fired. Voting to strike in this economic climate isn’t very bright. They should be happy to have jobs at all.

Scott from Shoreline says:

Given the current state of the economy, the machinists shouldn’t expect support from the public if they choose to strike. Most people I know, including non-machinist Boeing employees, were ENVIOUS of the final offer the company made. There’s bargaining for a better contract, and then there’s just plain stupidity. Wake up, IAM, you’re burning the coffee.

Another commenter referenced Ronald Reagan’s victory over the Air-Traffic Controllers union in 1981, in which air-traffic controllers called in sick to simulate a strike in order to extract more pay and benefits. Ronald Reagan famously had the Transportation Secretary train replacements, and all the striking controllers were fired and replaced.

Perhaps Boeing should’ve thought about training a non-union manufacturing force outside of Washington State prior to this impasse.

I’m guessing that Boeing’s offer will be approved by the union members next week, signifying a huge defeat for the union leadership.

What do you think of the IAM’s recommendation to strike Boeing? – Seattle Times