Last week, contract negotiations collapsed between Boeing and a union representing firefighters at some of the company’s commercial aircraft factories. On Thursday, President Biden called on both sides to return to the negotiating table.
The company locked out about 125 workers represented by a labor group from the International Association of Firefighters on Saturday after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract, said Casey Yeager, president of the labor group I-66. The previous contract expired March 1, but firefighters working at Boeing’s Seattle-area plants continued to work under its terms.
Talks, conducted with the help of a federal mediator, stalled after firefighters rejected what they said was the company’s final offer. The two sides did not meet until Friday evening, a few minutes before the lockout began, Mr. Yeager said.
“When we left our negotiating room the other day, we discussed very clearly that we were ready to continue negotiating,” he said. “You can call us at any time and we will negotiate, but at this point they have not sent us any information at all.”
On Thursday, Mr. Biden expressed support for the firefighters and said he was “concerned” that Boeing had locked them out. “Collective bargaining is a right that helps employers and employees,” he said
Mr Biden is expected to visit the Seattle area on Friday for campaign events.
Boeing, which in addition to making jets for airlines is also a major supplier to the military and NASA, said it still hopes to reach an agreement with the union but did not respond directly to Mr. Biden.
“We remain committed to reaching an agreement,” Boeing said in a statement. “Our offer includes significant salary increases and higher social benefits. The union should allow our employees to vote on our offer that was presented before the lockout.”
Under the rejected offer, firefighters would have to work 19 years before reaching the company’s highest pay grade, instead of 14 years under the current contract, Mr. Yeager said. Fire departments in the region offer higher starting salaries, allowing firefighters to advance to top pay in three to five years, he said.
Boeing firefighters earned an average of $91,000 last year, according to the company. The contract offer would increase that number to $112,000 in the first year. Boeing also said its compensation is competitive compared to other industrial firefighters.
Boeing firefighters respond to accidents and medical emergencies at the company’s factories in the Seattle area. They are expected to respond quickly in coordination with city firefighters to prevent the spread of fires and potentially toxic emissions. They also provide assistance with aircraft refueling and aircraft takeoff and landing, Mr. Yeager said.
The company said firefighters representing those locked out successfully responded to all calls received.
The firefighters, along with other firefighters and supporters, picketed Boeing facilities this week.
The dispute is unfolding as Boeing and its largest union, which represents more than 30,000 employees, engage in collective bargaining. These negotiations have only just begun but are expected to accelerate over the summer before the current contract expires in September.
That union, District Lodge 751 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, is seeking a wage increase of more than 40 percent over three years as well as improvements in job security, medical and retirement benefits. The union is also seeking a seat on the Boeing board.
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2024-05-09 21:05:51
www.nytimes.com
