Posts tagged International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Unions Defy Their Leadership With More ‘No’ Votes on Contracts
October 16, 2024 // Fed up with inflation and seizing a moment of labor power, workers at Boeing, AT&T and Southwest reject deals negotiated by union bosses
Boeing’s labor strike is so bad that the US Labor Secretary just flew to Seattle to help
October 16, 2024 // Analysts at Anderson Economic Group estimated that the first month of Boeing's 33,000-worker strike, which started on September 13, cost the company and workers $5 billion. The last strike, in 2008, shuttered plants for eight weeks and hit revenue by an estimated $100 million per day. In regulatory filings Tuesday, Boeing announced plans to raise up to $35 billion. That includes a $10 billion credit agreement, while it may also sell up to $25 billion of securities.
Opinion: Why union workers are abandoning the Democratic Party
October 15, 2024 // Scott Sauritch, the president of United Steelworkers Local 2227, drew significant public attention recently when he told a writer for the New Yorkerthat despite being a longtime Democrat, he would be voting for Donald Trump in November. He also said that most of the current rank-and-file members of the union planned on doing the same. “I don’t care what you see on TV,” Sauritch said. “The grunts in the lunchroom love Trump.”
Boeing will lay off 10% of employees as a strike shuts down airplane production
October 14, 2024 // About 33,000 union machinists have been on strike since Sept. 14. Two days of talks this week failed to produce a deal, and Boeing filed an unfair-labor-practices charge against the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. As it announced layoffs, Boeing also gave a preliminary report on its third-quarter financial results — and the news is not good for the company. Boeing said it burned through $1.3 billion in cash during the quarter and lost $9.97 per share. Industry analysts had been expecting the company to lose $1.61 per share in the quarter, according to a FactSet survey, but analysts were likely unaware of some large write-downs that Boeing announced Friday — a $2.6 billion charge related to delays of the 777X, $400 million for the 767, and $2 billion for defense and space programs including new Air Force One jets, a space capsule for NASA and a military refueling tanker.
Massachusetts Ballot Measure Would Shove Rideshare Workers Into the Arms of Unions
October 12, 2024 // Even as independent contractors, however, unions still threaten drivers’ flexibility. Unions might negotiate standardized rates, mandatory breaks, or limits on working hours, which, while beneficial in some industries, could restrict a driver’s ability to capitalize on peak demand periods or adjust their work hours to fit personal schedule. The risk of such changes only magnifies when one considers that the Ballot Measure only requires a 25% vote from drivers to form a union that would represent them as a whole. This means that the 30% of drivers working full-time, who would benefit most from being treated like employees, might be able to dictate policy for all rideshare drivers.
OPINION: For Workers, Strikes Offer High Risk, Low Reward
September 30, 2024 // The only way to avoid union retaliation is cancelling membership entirely. Beyond the rank-and-file, consequences of union strikes impact consumers, too. Last year, the healthcare industry, for example, saw the largest work stoppage in United States history as 75,000 hospital employees across five states plus Washington, D.C. walked off the job
Boeing reaches tentative labor deal with 25% pay hike, new plane commitment
September 9, 2024 // The deal comes as workers are capitalizing on tight labor markets to make gains. The United Auto Workers union won a similar 25% general wage pay hike over four-and-a-half years with the Detroit Three last autumn. The talks had been watched by members of U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, with Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su last week urging the sides in an interview with Reuters to get a "fair contract."
Boeing Workers Pass Strike Vote to ‘Save Company From Itself’
July 22, 2024 // CLOSE X CONTINUE Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:56 Quality Fullscreen By Hugh Cameron Live News Reporter FOLLOW 2 Members of Boeing's biggest union have voted to authorize a strike if their current contract negotiations with the aerospace company fail, compelling the company to take their demands for higher salaries and job security seriously. Over 30,000 Boeing workers from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) met in Seattle on Wednesday to cast their vote on possible industrial action. "Thousands of Machinists from IAM District 751 who work at the Boeing Company put down their tools and silenced the factories to come together at T-Mobile Park to cast their vote," a statement shared by the International Association of Machinists read. "The message was clear – Boeing workers deserve better." The vote will compel Boeing to "bargain earnestly," according to IAM District 751 President Jon Holden. "Our jobs, our legacy and our reputation are on the line right now. We are fighting to change this company and to save it from itself." IAM strike vote International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker Union District 751 members drop their ballots into a ballot box during an early strike-sanction vote event at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington on July 17, 2024. The... More JASON REDMOND/GETTY IMAGES The procedural vote, which the IAM said passed "by nearly 99.9%," gives the union advanced notice of its members' intention to strike, ensuring that they can receive strike benefits without delay if industrial action goes ahead. Sign up for Newsletter NEWSLETTER The Bulletin Your Morning Starts Here Begin your day with a curated outlook of top news around the world and why it matters. Enter your email address I want to receive special offers and promotions from Newsweek By clicking on SIGN ME UP, you agree to Newsweek's Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time. The vote to strike will not take place until September 12, when the current negotiations between the IAM and Boeing come to a close. However, the union said that the vote serves as a "momentum builder," and sends a strong message to Boeing that "members won't accept anything less than the fair contract they deserve." Exclusively Available to Subscribers Try it now for $1 "We don't want to strike – but we're ready and willing to do so to bring home the best aerospace contract our members have ever seen," Holden said. "From our family members to the flying public, we want everyone to be proud of this company once again. We are the watchdog with a unique opportunity to make things better for all." READ MORE Boeing Concern Over Boeing's 'Influence' As Sweetheart Plea Deal Delayed FAA Must Rein in Boeing After Engine Fire: UK Government Boeing Bosses Face Marathon 20-Hour Grilling by Watchdog Boeing Workers Meet for Crunch Vote on Strikes IAM President Jon Holden International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker Union District 751 President Jon Holden speaks as members and supporters attend an early strike-sanction vote event at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington on July 17, 2024. Holden... More JASON REDMOND/GETTY IMAGES The negotiations between Boeing and its workers began in March and are set to finish in September at the close of their current 10-year contract. The IAM is seeking a 40 percent salary increase over the next three to four years to amend "ten years of stagnant wages," as well as improved healthcare plans, "dignified" retirement plans and a greater say in their over overtime hours. However, the IAM said that job security "could tip the scales" when members cast their votes to strike on September 12. Holden previously told Newsweek that the IAM was demanding that Boeing's next airplane program be placed in the Puget Sound region, Washington.
Contractor at a NASA center agrees to higher wages after 5-day strike by union workers
July 2, 2024 // In addition to higher wages, the agreement included a broadening of S3’s life insurance policy and comprehensive health care, dental and vision options, according to a statement from the company. Workers will also receive an additional holiday.