Boeing Co. (BA)

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  • commenter
    113 Steve
    Sep 15 01:31 PM
    Boeing Braces for Potentially Long Workers' Strike [view article]
    Why is it no one remembers Enron, it was not a union that brought the company down but upper management. Corp. America has gotten so bad that it is hard to make a living. Yes, I do work at Boeing and I am proud to be in a union. I asked a question once to upper management and it went something like this.
    If everyone union member agreed to take a $1.00 per hour cut and agreed to pay $100 on their medical every month, how much would you lower the cost of the airplane to better compete?
    The answer was, we would not lower the cost of the plane as it would bring in more profit and we would use that money to send to our share holders. I then asked if management was willing to give us some of their bonuses and pay part of their medical, the guy lost it and started screaming and shouting and he had to leave the room. I was not allowed to talk about what they get because it was personal. Yet, is it not personal when they try to take from me or by brothers and sisters?
    Boeing has never came out and stated they could not afford to pay us, it is they don't want to pay us.
    No one talks about the last four years without a raise, so this would be a 11% raise over a period of 7 years since I have not had a raise in the last four years. Thats about 1.5 percent a year.
    Does not any one understand that if jobs keep going overseas the u.s. will not have any good paying jobs left? They say it is cheeper to make overseas but has the price actually come down on cars that is being shipped in from over there?
    Look at walmart, they buy from China and elswhere and their profits are huge, they pay people enough to get them on food stamps. The tax payer pays for their food stamps and any other benefit they may get.
    This is not about unions getting a fair hand it is about keeping jobs and making a wage that people can buy a home, etc.

    Reply
  • commenter
    Deliveryman
    Sep 15 12:12 PM
    Boeing Strike Seems More Like Corporate Terrorism [view article]
    As for the people who compare Detroit/UAW and the unions killing them, The U.S. auto industry is self inflicted. They build sub quality cars with worse resale value and wonder why they lose market share. Japanese cars cost MORE, but people like myself buy them because we get tired of fixing U.S. cars. You think that would have changed but quality was never job one with them. I remember always buying American cars but after years of mechanical problems, I didn't want to pour time and money into these expensive thieves of my time. Quality is not job one at Boeing either, production is. Bean count. Slogans. Dr. Deming tried to fix Ford now look at them. Ford was THE most profitable company in the late 80s but they once again forgot the principles. Quit blaming the UAW and comparing to the IAM, the commercial aircraft as of now have only two players, and they go back and forth dominating each other. Each are strong. The U.S. auto industry just keeps making cars people don't want. Sad but true read Consumer reports their studies show the same thing. Reply
  • commenter
    Deliveryman
    Sep 15 11:47 AM
    Boeing Strike Seems More Like Corporate Terrorism [view article]
    Try about 8 years. After 9/11, they have been acting like they have nothing to give. Readers should understand the Boeing exploited 9/11 to guilt us into taking hits on medical and dental and everything else they could. Approx. 30 percent of the new hires are quitting, I know at least two. They both said it wasn't enough pay for the hard physical labor. 12 bucks an hour? 21 YEARS ago I started at TEN DOLLARS an hour. See the problem? All long term Boeing people have a clear understanding that the company looks at us as a liability. 21 years and it never changes. ALL of the trouble Boeing gets in is because of MANAGERS, but they blame us for eating away the profits. Approx. 3 to 6 percent of an airplanes price is wages and benefits, but Boeing acts like it's 90 percent. Boeing always cries broke, always has, always will. Reply
  • commenter
    User 262605
    Sep 15 11:18 AM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    I've read the comments above and those on other blogs and conclude that there is far too much heat and far too little light. Obviously, Boeing, like all businesses, wants to maximize profit and unions want to maximize wages, benefits and security. That's the way it is and always will be. Complaining about that fact may make one feel good, but it doesn't lead anywhere. Moreover, it contributes to an environment that hurts both Boeing and workers. What seems to be missing from the discussions I've seen is what are the prevailing wage and benefits around the country for workers similarly skilled as those at Boeing. Given Boeing's success, it would seem its workers should expect to be paid somewhere near the top of that range. Reply
  • commenter
    vertol
    Sep 15 07:34 AM
    Boeing Strike Seems More Like Corporate Terrorism [view article]
    I'm under the impression that the IAM hasn't had a wage increase in the last four years. Is that true? Reply
  • commenter
    On Strike
    Too
    Sep 15 04:13 AM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    Amen OnStrike.

    It seems that everyone takes for granted that every person who works at Boeing makes the maximum amount. I am a new hire who will have 6 months in October. I bring 25+ years of experience to my job which is currently paying 11.93 per hour. I took a 60% pay cut to start at Boeing. Believe me, it wasn't by choice. I'm afraid I won't be able to make my mortgage payment again... seems having experience and being good at what you do doesn't mean much to Boeing.

    If all of you think I am being greedy for wanting to make enough to support my family during the 6 years it takes to get to that pubished 65K per year.

    Let's get out the ole' calculator...

    11.93 x 1920 hours per year (typical) = $22905.60 before taxes....
    $1800.00 mortgage payment x 12 months = $21600.00

    I can't keep a roof over my families head and you think I am being greedy while the CEO of Boeing makes nearly twice that amount before his first break EVERY DAY.

    Not only am I disgusted by that fact. I am appalled that the general public thinks people like me are being greedy. All I've every wanted was a home for my family, and now I can't have that anymore.

    I am not proud to work for Boeing. I am ashamed.....

    Reply
  • commenter
    Kevin Says
    Sep 15 01:02 AM
    Boeing Strike Seems More Like Corporate Terrorism [view article]
    You're ignorant and doesn't have a single clue on what you're talking about. Look at all these people at least they have experience to know what's right from wrong. :]
    Reply
  • commenter
    OnStrike
    Sep 15 12:01 AM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    To Gettinghosed:
    Please go to boeing.com\careers Be prepared to work 19 days on and 2 off for the rest of your boeing career. You will only have to work 8 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday, all other days may require 10+ hours. You will be required to document and fix all vendor supplied non compliant parts. You will do this on overtime. You will be required to work with chemicals known by the state of California to cause cancer, nerve damage, etc. You will be required to do repetitive tasks in unergonomic positions. You may be required to work in confined areas that require special ventilation. You may be required to work with your hands overhead all shift. You may be required to work on your knees all shift. You may be required to work in a squatting position all shift. Most likely your knees and back will give you problems after 20 years of this work. You will start out at $12.72 per hour but will work up at a rate of $.50 per hour every 6 months.
    Just because you had the support to get an education doesn't make you any better than anyone else. The bottom line is Boeing can't find enough people to do airplane assembly. They have been hiring for the last 3 years. If the work was as easy as you make it out to be there wouldn't be a shortage of airplane assemblers and new hires wouldn't be quitting. We also wouldn't be on strike. It's not as good of a gig as you may think. You are free to apply and try it out.     Reply
  • commenter
    wetwillie
    Sep 14 05:50 PM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    I have worked in a union shop and it completely shut down indivual initiative. I worked hard, studied and got a degree on my own. What is needed is an enviorment that both labor and management work together instead of us and them. Cheaper labor doesn't always equate to a cheaper product but it is a price competitive world and until they find common pain it will go on. Reply
  • commenter
    TinyTim
    Sep 14 04:19 PM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    Globalization is the great equalizer.

    Keep in mind, we're competing against the top of the food chain in places like India and China. The botttom is lucky to get a bowl of rice a week. The disparity of wealth distribution is greater in these places.     Reply
  • commenter
    TinyTim
    Sep 14 04:12 PM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    When "workers at the US plants earn wages closer to the globalized average", then "a days work equals a bowl of rice".

    This also applies to the obscenely high pay for US corporate executives. If they're that good, why the big worries over golden parachutes? Most of them are there thru 80% luck and timing, not business skills. Even if they opt to go down with the ship, these execs have a lot more job mobility.

    Globalization is the great equalizer.
    Reply
  • commenter
    Drill&Fill
    Sep 14 11:28 AM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    So lets all give a collective "oh poor baby" to "gettinghosed&quo... and his entertaining outlook towards union folks. I'm guessing that he would include those SPEEA union guys too and not just the IAM in his world of "good verses the evil unions" scenario.

    Whats wrong, the ventilation system not working too well in your cubical this morning.

    "Fineprint" brought up the point of looking back at the last couple of contracts. (well put I might add and a good idea) Times were bad for everyone, and the unions as a whole asked for "nothing" to help keep the company in the green in those tough times. Boeing was happy to give us exactly that, "nothing". As I remember it, the only sticking point was that Boeing tried to cut off medical benefits to the retired folk and all new hires as well. The old "devide and conquer" tactic. We didn't fall for it. Boeing backed off, and the "nothing gained" contracts passed.

    So now, after helping to pull this company through that time, and speed up production while we we're at it, "gettinghosed&quo... thinks we're not entitled to any kind of a pay raise what so ever.

    "gettinghosed&quo... Maybe you should try and open a window for some fresh air. Oh thats right, your in a cubical, sorry!

    I've over a quarter century of aircraft experience and not all of it is from working at Boeing. It is all hands on too. I have, and am required to have, licenses, certificates, qualifications, annual certs, bi-annual certs, documentation out the kazoo. Every task I do on an aircraft has to be exactly correct everytime without fail. I am proud of the work that I do and of the quality that it is. I've shaken the hands of our airline customers that accept these flying machines. Some of those customers know me by name and ask for me by name as well when there's a problem and they want it fixed right. Without going into details I can honestly say that I've saved this company "millions" through my work ethic and dedication to the task at hand. Our airline customers recognize this by coming back time and again, but Boeing would rather not.

    I am like every other working stiff in america. I want to better myself and the quality of life for my family. I don't consider me or my fellow employees "worthless union pricks" as you so eloquently put it. You might try and look in the mirror, just scratch out the word "union".

    I hope you never hold a union job. I'm sure you never will because there will always be non-critical jobs around for people like you. The kind of people that just roll over and pee on themselves instead of standing up and fighting for what's due them. Good Luck to you!

    So when you go home tonight have your mommy make you a sandwich with the crusts cut off. Go to your room and type us out another story of the evil unions. This time maybe leave out the potty talk, it makes the story even more immature.

    By the way, what do you like on your "Bowl of rice" butter or how about a little Soy?



    Reply
  • commenter
    cwamember
    Sep 14 09:34 AM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    Yo gettinghosed, a little self inflated aren't we?

    Let me understand this. The workers should accept whatever the company deems fair, without complaint, because that's exactly what you do.
    it's exactly that kind of thinking that continues the downward spiral in wages and benefits in America.

    I have to pay for health care, so why shouldn't you! I get crappy raises, so why shouldn't you! I have no job security, so why should you!

    Your totally spineless, and unfortunantly, your not alone.

    Thank You to the good brother and sisters of the IAM at Boeing for standing up and saying ENOUGH!

    No disrespect,gettinghose... I hope you do get your bonus,but not at the expense of working people.

     Reply
  • commenter
    jimsep
    Sep 14 02:11 AM
    The Test of Wills at Boeing [view article]
    Like Caterpillar, another global company competing in international markets, Boeing needs to win this fight, no matter what the near term cost is.

    If they cave, this company is headed in the same direction as the US auto industry. That means the stock will go down. A lot!



    Reply
  • commenter
    Deliveryman
    Sep 13 10:42 PM
    Boeing Strike Seems More Like Corporate Terrorism [view article]
    All right then. Stephanie you messed up big time. Just because you are educated does not make you a smart or decent person. This article reminds me of the college fool who wrote the article about Tillman (you remember him, the pro footballer killed in Afghanistan) Rene Gonzales was his name. To Stephanie and Rene, you really haven't live long enough to take on this subject. Period. But I digress...
    I humbly submit the following to you Stephanie: Ahem....
    Do you happen to know what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is? Read article 23. It basically states everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. And you know who the biggest critics are of the UDHR? The Islamic community. Funny huh? Look it up for yourself. As a 21 year Boeing employee I can add this: Every three years there is an expiration of our IAM contract. Every three years the company cries broke and we lose a little medical here, little dental there. No problem, after 9/11 we wanted our company to get healthy again, As well as our country. So now we are healthy. Guess what happened again? More medical takeaways hidden in the fine print. Boasted as a great offer by Doug Kite, who was charged with selling this contract to thousands of people who distrust him. So Stephanie, let's say whoever you work for every three years starts chipping away at your medical. Which, no offense, you appear to be headed down the wrong health path at such a young age. Wait until after 30 or 40 your knees will start to feel the burden you've place on them. Listen and understand, the older you get the MORE YOU NEED medical help. You'll see someday. Medical means a lot to Boeing people, building airplanes...not easy. You know how to rivet? That's an impact sport where after ten years the doctor says you can't feel your fingers due to nerve damage. Good God grow up and learn from the experience of life.     Reply
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