N1CEandS1MPLE

Today in Seattle, Idiotic machinists voted against a contract that would ensure job security for at least 20 years, but also a contract that would land the 777X to be mainly manufactured out of the Seattle area. Instead they pleaded for their pension plan back and "better" benefits but fail to realize Boeing is fully willing to outsource all of there operations and replace their workforce with those desperate to work elsewhere.

So is this an end for Boeing in Seattle?

Boeing machinists reject labor contract proposal | Fox News

cencal83406

Boeing quality will continue to decrease... How's that 787 coming? Still under budget?

pnwchief22

1970-72 reductions in force were tough on the economy up here, this vote will bring a similar impact, if the company closes facilities. The orders will dictate where (if) the company can move the production and still meet deadlines.

brianb

I hope they lose all their tax breaks/incentives from the State and Uncle Sam. Boeing products have been taking a "hit" lately and moving manufacturing to another state/country isn't going to inspire a lot of confidence in the average Joe weather he be a passenger or investor. I guess this means they will have to train new people to maintain their current state of "shabby".

Sum Ting Wong

So the rest of Boeing WA workers can take it up the arse even more?

Boeing now has the upper hand in that they seem to be systematically relocating. Chicago is now the HQ, SC is an assembly plant and I'd bet that soon, another area (far from Seattle) will be happy to see a deal struck with Boeing. Other states and areas are also offering relocation incentives. If Boeing relocates completely, the people of WA state will have no one to thank but the union. It looks to me like the IAM want to emulate their brethren in the bakers union that shut down Hostess. Once Boeing shuts down operations in the northwest, the union will declare a "Victory for the working man" as their members begin lining up for unemployment.

You can't fix Stupid.

WARich

I could swear I have heard for years how good it is to work for Boeing. Good benefits, pay, etc.

Bilsch

NY Times -

Under My Thumb

"SEATTLE — This is how the middle class dies, not with a bang, but a forced squeeze. After a global corporation posts record profits, it asks the state that has long nurtured its growth for the nation’s biggest single tax break, and then tells the people who make its products that their pension plan will be frozen, their benefits slashed, their pay raises meager. Take it or we leave. And everyone caves.

Well, almost everyone. All went according to script as the Boeing Company showed what to expect in a grim future for a diminished class — the vanishing American factory worker. The threats were issued, the tax giveaways approved, the political leaders warned of the need to buckle to Boeing....

...The events of the last few days show the utter bankruptcy of economic policy prescriptions offered by both political parties. You want tax breaks and deregulation — the Republican mantra? The $8.7 billion granted Boeing this week is the largest single state-tax giveaway in the nation’s history. It wasn’t enough. You want government training for schools and highly skilled workers — the Democratic alternative? There was plenty of that, to Boeing’s liking, in the package."

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/op...umb.html?_r=1&

How many here are unionized pilots? Would you be willing to open up your current agreement mid-term to give concessions to a company who just posted record profits? This, while threatening to move your pilot base? I know many of you have endured concessions under bankruptcy and the threat of bankruptcy, but Boeing does not have that problem.

They smell an opportunity to suck more life out of the working class line workers with the threat of moving. Of course that is only my opinion.

Sum Ting Wong

Wrong conclusion. This is a replay of Detroit. Boeing is just being a little smarter than GM, Chrysler and Ford were back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Sadly the unions, with a lot of help from management, nearly destroyed the American auto industry, who couldn't see past the next short term contract.

What are the chances of IAM members being able to hold their union bosses responsible for the loss of thousands of Boeing jobs in Washington state, once Boeing decides to move its operations somewhere else?
Well, glad you asked. The chances of that will be 0.00.

Labor is a cost of business, just as is power, raw materials, waste disposal (you may not know who runs that business, but I assure you it ain't the Boy Scouts), transportation, taxation, and other things.

Nobody would find fault with relocating to a place where taxes or raw materials or power or transportation costs would be lower.

But just let you talk about moving somewhere because you want lower labor costs and fewer disruptions to production because of labor and watch the screeching and hysteria occur...

doublerjay

Boeing will not leave the Seattle area for a long, long time. Take a look at all the orders for 737. The plan is to ramp up production to 43 a month fairly soon, with a backlog of orders.
Boeing IS a great place to work, regardless of whether it's in WA or not. I know, I work for them. (Not in WA either) The pay is great and the benefits are great as well.
It's ironic that I turned down the 'opportunity' to go fly for a regional carrier a few years ago instead took a job back at Boeing. (Yes, been thru two layoffs with Boeing). I make twice as much more than any first year FO's regional, and have great medical benefits for my family as well a company pension and matching 401K as well as college tuition re-imbursement which I am currently using for my M.A.S.
Also ironic, I do NOT and have NEVER worked for a Union shop and hope it remains that way.
Not a perfect company for sure, but look at all the recent orders and news for outlooks on commercial aircraft. I seem to remember a major automobile maker having "gas pedal" issues a few years ago.

Don't sweat the small stuff, and don't expect Boeing to leave WA.

JamesNoBrakes

Yes, but shirley we can get pilots to work for even less...