Machinists Approve New Boeing Contract

From: The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)


Washington, D.C., November 2, 2008 - The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced today that its members voted by 74 percent to ratify a new 4-year contract with the Boeing Company.

The new agreement covers 27,000 IAM members at Boeing facilities in Washington, Oregon, Kansas and California, and ends a strike that began on September 6, 2008.
Machinists will begin returning to work as early as November 2 and have until the beginning of their shift on Monday, November 10 to return to work.

"This contract gives the workers at Boeing an opportunity to share in the extraordinary success this Company has achieved over the past several years," said Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin. "It also recognizes the need to act with foresight to protect the next generation of aerospace jobs. These members helped make Boeing the company it is today, and they have every right to be a part of its future."

Among the many job security gains in the new accord, the IAM reasserted scope of work jurisdiction over previously unprotected bargaining unit work. In addition to a 15 percent increase in pay, pension improvements and significant lump sum payments, members' share of medical costs will remain unchanged.

"This Union has delivered what few Americans have - economic certainty and quality benefits for the next four years,” said District 751 President Tom Wroblewski. "After 57 days of striking, we gained important and substantial improvements over the Company's offer that was rejected on September 3."