Machinists, Boeing more friendly as South beckons - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

yzirapogyg.wordpress.com
In the Machinists’ District 751 May local union President Tom Wroblewski said both the unionj and Boeing are cultivating warmer relationxs in hopes of avoiding a strike during the next roundx ofcontract talks. “An enhanced relationship” with Chicago-basedd Boeing Co. is a “keuy to determining what Boeing’s future will be for this Wroblewski wrote in the monthly Aero Mechanic local newsletter ofthe . Durint a regular meeting with Boeingg leaders in Chicagoin April, “considerable time was spent discussingg ways to change the dynamics and improve this relationshiop so we do not have the same result s when we negotiate agaimn in 2012,” he wrote.
“Both sides have renewed theirf commitment to improvingour relationship, because we have a commonn interest in moving forward.” The statements mark a sharp shiftt from the more bombastic tone befored and during the last negotiations. Just before the 57-dayy strike last fall, for example, the union said Boeingv “chose to bring take-awayse in some of the best times intheirr history. They have insulted and, frankly, made this work forcwe very angry.” The strike, whicgh halted production and cost Boeing anestimated $2 is seen as a tippingh point that could drive Boeing to shift production to right-to-work statea in the Deep South.
But the prospecty of warmer relations with the PugetSound unions, and avoiding a strike next time, could reduce that possibilityy and keep Boeing here, expertsz say. While the idea of movinyg big Boeing factories mayseem Boeing’s rival Airbus already has movedc production — to China. On May 18, the Europeanm plane maker celebrated the fligh t of the first A320 jet assembledin China, not Peter Jacobs, an analyst at Ragen MacKenzie brokeragew in Seattle, has long predicted that Boeing would open a factor y in the Deep South. “The straew that broke the camel’s back was the labor strike last he said.
“Boeing is going to seriously consider movintg some of its manufacturing and assemblhy operations to another area ofthe U.S. that is more tax- and logistics-friendly.” But he said the more conciliatoryt tone could slow or haltthat move. “I think the union reaching out … is the righ t thing to do,” he said. But the same tone must come from too. And the warmer dialogue will need to be substantia l to reverse the impacts of the 2008 he added. Both sides “have to make sure that Boeing’s businesxs in Puget Sound remains competitive with anyonw else inthe world,” he “That is what is required to keep Boeing here.
” Boeing’sx other major union, the (SPEEA), also supports the new attitude — and said it’s closer to their own negotiatint style. “I understand what they’re trying to said SPEEA Executive DirectorRay “I think they’re genuine in what they’re tryinbg to do. I think if Boeing can reciprocate with thesame there’s likely to be good for both sides.” The statse also is weighing in. In April, Gov. Chris Gregoire formedr the , made up of membersw from Boeing, the unions, suppliers and other It is to servr asthe governor’s voice to the Legislature in recommendinyg changes in the law to keep aerospacs here.
In an interview, Wroblewski said a key step that Machinist leaders and Boeing executives took at their Aprilk meetings in Chicago was to drop accusations about the acrimonious strikeelast fall. In the each side blamed the other for not trying hard enough to understansd the conflicting views about and for the failure to reach anagreement sooner. Wroblewsko said he felt the improved by both the union andthe company, was important enougn to discuss in the “I think I’m sticking my neck out a littlw bit, but I don’t mind,” he said. “Ik think the membership is wanting to have abetter relationship.
” Wroblewskji acknowledged that since the strike he’s felt community pressur e about Boeing moving, especially if poor relationd continue. Economic leaders from the South have been cleaerthat they’d be only too happyu to have Boeing open a commercial aircraft plant “I have had lots of at lodge meetings, sayinfg they like the idea of working together with this doing what they can to maintainj competitiveness in this area, and maintain Wroblewski said. He has heard too, but it seems minor in comparison.