Drill&Fill

Boeing Heading the Way of GM?

Pilot_151 you should be a contractor. You hit the nail on the head with this one. I couldn't agree more with you. Personally I'm going to print this artical and shred it for next years garden. I'm not going to need the usual steer manure, this artical will do fine!

You folks want to see greed in America, just look at our CEO's in this country.

What the union workers at Boeing wanted to keep from going on strike is a drop in the bucket for Boeing's bottom line.

The real cause of the strike is the fact that a lot of major parts for all comercial planes were getting later and later in their delivery to the company from the vendors. You can't deliver planes without galleys. Nobody wants them that way!

It's just like it was in '95. I worked the factory back then and was forced to steal parts from planes 6 stations back, just to get the plane at the door out of the door. I did that for months before the strike and I know I wasn't the only one who had to. After we came back to work the overtime that had to be worked was like getting hit by a sunami.

I'd be willing to bet when the work force goes back to work there will be parts stacked to the rafters again, just like '95.

Best of luck to those in 751 and SPEEA.

The Test of Wills at Boeing

So lets all give a collective "oh poor baby" to "gettinghosed" 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" thinks we're not entitled to any kind of a pay raise what so ever.

"gettinghosed" 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?

The Test of Wills at Boeing

Respirate, you are on the right track. The issues leading to the current situation, between Boeing and their workforce, do run a bit deeper. I'll come right out with the fact that I'm part of that workforce and have been for the last 21 years. This is my 4th strike.

I can only speak for myself on the issues that bother me, but I do hear my fellow coworkers and their concerns and they are for the most part the same as mine. Its more than just money! Its a future!

The money side of the story is the easiest for the non-Boeing employee to see and get wrapped around the axle about. For those people all I can say to you is, please try and remember WHO is leaking those numbers to the press. I for one would not have considered going on strike at all if there had been $65K in this contract proposal. Sorry paulk8756.

I have a family of 4 so I have a limited # of benefits offered. With all the "bonuses" and wage increases combined, LESS the new "out of pocket", and overall "deductables" for medical, and prescription plan additional costs combine to make the new contract a "wash" for me. Now I understand that all of these costs are going up for everyone everywhere and I do expect to pay my share for these services. Nobody gets a free ride.

What I don't expect from Boeing and their 13 Billion earned in the last few years on the backs of me and my fellow employees is to be expected to take this offer/contract for the next 3 years and be making the same money at the end of that 3 years, when the cost of everything around me is going through the roof. I'll end up going backwards.

Now if you'll care to look at what the upper crust at Boeing makes in saleries and stock option and the rest of the benefits it's easy to see that they have little or no guilt making sure they are greatly compensated for their efforts.

Now as far as sending work over seas or keeping it here in the states. The way it looks to me is as soon as corporate america can get our wages down to "a days work equals a bowl of rice" the fight will be over and the work will come home.

Until then it'll be up to people like myself who would rather go down swinging than bend over and take it. Besides, I'm not a big fan of rice, I prefer a baked potato.