Boeing machinists approve 777X contract with 51% vote! (Everett, Bothell: how much, income)

[victorianpunk]

I just don't understand the Union's logic. Who in their right mind would rather not work at all than get a different kind of retirement program? (401(k) vs pension)

The more I think about it, the more I think most modern unions suck. Workers should be free to work for whoever they want, for whatever they want, whenever and however they want.

Unions have gone from being about advancing worker's rights as they did in the old days to being about limiting worker's rights, which is what they're doing now.

[homebeyer2013]

I'll be glad to be in an A380, instead of a fire-trap, when I'm flying down Kamchatka next month.

[Garethe]

I've been a non-union machinist throughout my years in the trade and IAM workers do not realize how good they have it. The average starting wage is $10-15 per hour for non-union workers. In my last position I got $13 with a 2% increase after the first year; standard benefits of which I paid 25% of the premium, a 401K with no match, and certainly no bonuses. Lower and middle class skilled tradesmen are lucky to get bonuses in the hundreds, let alone 4 and 5 figures.

There are thousands of well-trained machinists such as myself that never apprenticed with a union, but we do work that is just as difficult, and even more so since our shops never have inflated payrolls, but operate as efficient as possible; we're trained as mechanics, technicians, operators, and material handlers. So do not believe for a second that Boeing won't be able to locate good workers with a compensation package far less than that of current IAM members; they will not have any problems I assure you; in addition to an established non-union pool, there are countless foreign born machinists arriving from Asia and Central/South America every day with a skill-set suitable for fabrication, which is the majority of Boeing production work.

Edit: The biggest surprise in all this was when my own brother, a union carpenter in Bremerton, told me that the IAM lost the support of his own union; it's not being spoken about publicly, but there is quite a bit of anger at the greed from these giant super unions such as the UAW and IAM, they are dragging other unions down with them and it's not appreciated.

[kanhawk]

I understand why some wanted to keep the older style pensions but I think it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to maintain those with people living longer lives. It just puts a much greater cost on pension plans than in the old days when a retired worker got a modest pension and died a few years after they retired.
I think the 51% majority did the right thing and I would have voted for it myself not because I am happy about it but because a job with lower benefits is better than a job someone else has 3000 miles away.
There is also the possibility of living to fight another day. Maybe some future contract can get a little bit better benefits in some other areas if the jobs stay here.

[eskercurve]

I'm hearing rumors that there is a de-certification effort going on now. Wouldn't that be a hoot?

Personally, Boeing played their hand masterfully. There's a LOT going on in the next ten years:

1) Launch, Design, Assembly, and flight test of 777X
2) Flight test & delivery of the 737MAX
3) Design and deliver the 787-10 (made in Charleston most likely)
4) Launch a New Airplane Program that will likely be in detailed design phases by 2024

Meanwhile, the company played the management game masterfully too. In an era when companies are global and unions remain Local, the unions will ALWAYS lose.

Another thing I noticed is: some of those union losers really think they're God's gift to aerospace. Give me a f------ break. They're high school educated with some training. Almost anyone could do their job given the time.

[Teuscher]

Where is Boeing building the new 777X? In Everett? Does this mean Everett real estate and surrounding area such as Mill Creek, Bothell are going up?

[Teuscher]

Any idea how much the union members have to pay their union in terms of membership dues?

[cocaseco]

Originally Posted by homebeyer2013

I'll be glad to be in an A380, instead of a fire-trap, when I'm flying down Kamchatka next month.

Wow look at this guy, hes going to Kamchatka. What a life. We all wish we were you.

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by Teuscher

Where is Boeing building the new 777X? In Everett? Does this mean Everett real estate and surrounding area such as Mill Creek, Bothell are going up?

Well, they're certainly not going down now.

I see MC at least being steady. Bothell prices are going to up anyway, because the time, location and everything that it offers (like great schools, revitalizing/rebuilding DT core, water access) is situated just right. It's going to boom if it hasn't already.

[BellevueNative]

Originally Posted by homebeyer2013

I'll be glad to be in an A380, instead of a fire-trap, when I'm flying down Kamchatka next month.

You obviously don't know much about that aircraft. I'll be flying on one in a few months and I'm a bit nervous considering what I know about it.