8 December, 2011Members of the International Association of Machinists voted on December 8 to accept an agreement with Boeing that includes a firm commitment to future manufacturing in Puget Sound and Portland.
USA: Negotiations for a new contract with Boeing resulted in the company proposing to extend the current contract to September 2016, with some changes in certain areas. This approach delivered a huge improvement in job security, which was the number one issue raised by IAM members for the negotiations. When the proposed agreement was put to the vote, it was endorsed by 74 per cent of union members.
The extended contract includes some sharing in the increases in health care costs by employees, but makes gains in the areas of job security, pensions and wages, issues that were of most concern to members. Wages will increase by 2 per cent each year of the contract, a new program will pay bonuses from 2 to 4 per cent of annual gross pay and pensions will increase and will be preserved for new hires.
Job security has significantly improved as a result of the agreement. In it, Boeing has made an unprecedented commitment to 737Max and related manufacturing in Puget Sound and Portland, as well as other programs.
Commenting on the successful vote, IAM President Tom Buffenbarger said, '"The vote today is a clear demonstration of our members approval of industry leading language on job security, wages and benefits. It also represents a new and dynamic era in our relationship with the Boeing company."