S.C. decision transforms Boeing's relationship with Washington, labor unions

Seattle Times ^ | November 1, 2009 | Dominic Gates

[jazusamo]

Boeing's decision to build a new airplane-assembly plant in Charleston, S.C., will change the shape of the company and dramatically alter how both the state of Washington and the Machinists union approach Boeing.

Washington state must accept a future where it competes for every new Boeing airplane program, with low-wage South Carolina as a certain rival.

The Machinists must accept that if Boeing doesn't like their demands, it can direct future work to its nonunion Charleston plants.

A defining moment could come about 2015, when Boeing will choose where to build the successor plane to either the Renton-built 737 or the Everett-built 777.

"There was a lot of sniping from Washington to the effect that 'it may be cheaper in South Carolina, but we build it better,' " said John Krug, an executive at Development Advisors, a corporate site-selection firm based in North Carolina. "The company didn't buy that argument.

"Boeing has clearly illustrated what its preference is," Krug said. "They believe they can manufacture in South Carolina and they can do it cost effectively."

Another crucial point will come even sooner, in 2012 — soon after Charleston is due to roll out its first Dreamliners — when the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and the white-collar union at Boeing, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), will negotiate their next contracts.

That's when the unions must face their new reality, said Scott Hamilton, an Issaquah-based aviation-industry analyst.

"Clearly, Boeing is going to be looking at the 2012 SPEEA and IAM contracts as a benchmark for deciding where the successor airplanes will be built," Hamilton said. "That will be crossing the Rubicon for labor and for Boeing."

[jazusamo]

"You've got a chance to keep the rest of it," McCallum said. The Charleston selection, he said, is "a wake-up call."

I wonder if the Boeing unions are going to wake up.

[jazusamo]

Ping!

[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon and donate if you haven’t done so!

[SkyDancer]

Ever since I can remember the Seattle Times, the PI and the Unions bashed Boeing incessantly - so now when the battered wife leaves they’re upset????????

[rsobin]

No they will not wake up until it is far too late for the states with closed shop laws.

[jazusamo]

Well said, Boeing just gave them a shot across the bow.

[jazusamo]

I personally think you’re right.

[aShepard]

............The Machinists must accept that if Boeing doesn’t like their demands, it can direct future work to its nonunion Charleston plants....................

Nah!

Zero, dead fish Rahmbo, Princess Pelosi, and Reid will all get their Rats to back “Card Check” and the thugs will intimidate enough Charleston workers to vote into a union within a month of opening.

It’s the Saul Alinsky Chicago way

[jazusamo]

Another piece by Dominic Gates:

After Charleston move, Sen. Patty Murray "won't be as inclined" to help Boeing

excerpt:

"She won't be as inclined to work for anything not Washington state-related for this company," Glass said.

Murray is dumber than I thought, anything benefitting Boeing would indirectly benefit WA as long as Boeing does business here.

[jazusamo]

That’s possible but about 2/3 voted to decertify in Charleston. However, Obama and his Chicago thug cohorts operate the same as union thugs.

[iopscusa]

I think the Salinsky Stormtrooper Unions might find that they would be better off staying away from the Low Country!

[SC Swamp Fox]

South Carolina
Ping
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[tom h]

"I wonder if the Boeing unions are going to wake up. "

Hopefully, at least the engineers' union will decertify the union. It always amazed me that the well-paid engineers were unionized.

Mark my word, the South Carolinians will make a play for the future engineering work, also. They brought a BMW plant to SC about 10 years ago and Lockheed Martin has had a strong presence in aircraft maintenance and logistics there for years.

Kudos to SC.

[tom h]

"Ever since I can remember the Seattle Times, the PI and the Unions bashed Boeing incessantly - so now when the battered wife leaves they’re upset????????"

The Seattle Times and Seattle PI are withering away into irrelevance. Let them die in peace ... including letting them rail away against that which they do not understand.

[SkyDancer]

Ya, the PI went internet and the Times went to a smaller format of print paper size ... unfortunately there are many who support the Times here ...

[jazusamo]

It always amazed me that the well-paid engineers were unionized.

I've wondered the same thing many times and wouldn't be surprised to see them decertify eventually.

Another thing that I haven't seen brought up is the factor of workers, both Machinists and Engineers, that could possibly relocate to SC. I believe that's a real possibility, especially for the younger workers.

[Infidel Heather]

Staying away from all of SC, period!

[Infidel Heather]

We’d love to have them, this is a BEAUTIFUL state. (Both the land and the people)

I say that as a transplant from Flori-duh. :)

[sionnsar]

Thanks to jazusamo for the ping.

Say WA? Evergreen State ping

Quick link: WA State Board

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Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.

[sionnsar]

Another thing that I haven't seen brought up is the factor of workers, both Machinists and Engineers, that could possibly relocate to SC. I believe that's a real possibility, especially for the younger workers.

Well, they might find work there.