Trouble In Jet City

Is there any other time of the year more appropriate to striking than Labor Day Weekend? Of course not, so the Boeing machinists voted to do exactly that Thursday night and began officially not working today. Picketing outside the Everett plant started at 11:00am this morning.

The strike comes after IAMAW members rejected a three year contract offered by the airline manufacturer. We're, of course, in no position to judge what's a fair contract and what isn't, but the way the contract was framed to us makes it seem like this is a well-deserved strike if ever there was one. Boeing's final offer to the machinists inculded no wage increases for 2007 or 2008 and a one percent cost-of-living increase for each of the three years, but apparently the largest points of contention are retirement and healthcare issues. Here's a video of union members authorizing the strike.

From the machinists union website:

“This is the same fight all across America to maintain the standard of living for working families who generate the profits for the corporate elite. Those at the top are not giving back and neither should our members,” stated Blondin. “Boeing refused to bargain fairly about our needs and, instead, threw money hoping to buy their workers with cash incentives. Our members showed they have true ethics and integrity by rejecting this offer.”

The strike will halt production of aircraft in the area and Forbes has stated that that may be "ruinous for the company's prospects."

From the Puget Sound Business Journal:

In a statement, Boeing expressed disappointment in the vote.

"We offered a comprehensive contract that compared favorably with others in our industry and in the regions where we operate," the company said.

Meanwhile the Chinese president is in town this weekend to kick the tires of a few airplanes and talk bidness with a few local leaders.