Eve is here. Holy Molly. Boeing executives have made it clear that they would rather drive Boeing into the side of a mountain than give workers a meaningful say in the terms of their employment. This action is punitive and (if such a thing is possible) will only further sour relations between Boeing’s leadership and its unions.
Based on the quick decision to strike by the rank and file and the unprecedented support of 96%, I decided at an early stage that the distance between management and workers was too far, and that ultimately the workers would be forced to It was predicted that the federal government would provide relief. waive that claim. The continued high-handedness of management, and the increasing likelihood of a government bailout, confirms just how despicable and self-serving Boeing’s upper management is.
It must be pointed out that past generations of labor leaders are responsible for allowing Boeing to punish strikers by cutting off health insurance. The AMA lobbied hard against proposals to implement so-called “socialized medicine,” but they had trade unions as allies. Unions wanted to be able to claim responsibility for negotiating and purchasing health insurance for their members so they could prove that it was better for workers to be in the union shop.
By Edward Cooper, Common Dreams staff writer. It was first published in common dreams
Starting Tuesday, Boeing canceled company-sponsored health benefits for about 33,000 striking workers, drawing criticism from progressives for demonstrating the need for universal health care in the United States.
The workers, primarily located in Washington state and represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), went on strike on September 13. announced The company’s website stated that the medical benefits would expire at the end of September 30th.
“Boeing’s greed provides another perfect example of why we need Medicare for All,” the senator said. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) I wrote on social media. “Like other wealthy countries, we must guarantee health care to every man, woman, and child as a human right, not an employment benefit, whether they are on strike or not. , everyone has the right to health care.”
sarah nelsonInternational President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA); I wrote On social media, he argued that “medical care and employment should not be linked.”
“And shame on Boeing!” she added.
Union members demonstrate in Renton, Washington on September 26, 2024 (Photo: Taylor Garland)
Many companies have been accused of cutting off health benefits as a strike-breaking tactic. general motors canceled Coal mining company Warrior Met provides medical benefits to striking workers in 2019 I did that In 2021. On the other hand, John Deere blackmailed This is expected to be followed during the 2021 strike.
House Democrats in 2022 Moved They called for federal legislation to stop this operation, but the proposed legislation was not passed.
Washington state has three Democratic candidates. Passed This year, legislation was enacted to provide some assistance to striking workers. The new law will allow workers involved in labor disputes to freely register for supplementary medical care through the national exchange system.
The striking Boeing employees said they would remain steadfast despite the termination of their benefits.
“I’m 50 years old. I’ve been working since I was 16,” says Robert Silverman. said A local reporter was on the picket line Monday. “I’ve been saving up for a long time. From day one of my recruitment process, they told us about this day and said they were ready.”
The decision to cut health care came after a month of heated negotiations. On September 8, Boeing and IAM reached an agreement. tentative contract That might have prevented a strike, but 33,000 workers I voted A few days later, there was overwhelming opposition. go on strike.
This strike is effectively stopped Boeing’s commercial airline production is not on strike as most of its 170,000 employees are on strike, and the company is continuing production in other areas.
The issues in the negotiations include wages and retirement benefits. The tentative agreement included a 25% pay increase by the end of the four-year contract, but employees wanted a 40% increase. September 23rd, Boeing proposed30% increase, that’s “best and last” Offer. IAM rejected it, furious at its wording and the fact that the offer was made through the media rather than directly to the union.
Boeing, once a beacon of American industrial power, was already in turmoil before the strike began. a series of scandals In recent years, serious questions have arisen about our approach to safety.
The company has also long been a target of progressives and working-class advocates who say its executives were particularly greedy.
“Boeing may have been able to get aid to keep people on the payroll during the coronavirus pandemic, but it came with conditions such as a ban on stock buybacks and caps on executive compensation, resulting in billions of dollars in aid.” ,” said Nelson, the AFA-CWA leader. common dreams. “This company has bowed down to shareholder capitalism changes time and time again.”
Nelson said the union’s push for fair wages and benefits is actually leading to efforts to improve safety protocols.
“Mechanics … are fighting for good union jobs and fighting for our safety in the process,” she said. “We stand with them. This strike is our best chance to save Boeing and make it a marvel of engineering and solid maintenance again.”
Meanwhile, the push for Medicare for All in the United States failure About the US medical system. vice president kamala harrisDemocratic presidential candidate and co-sponsor of the Medicare for All bill as a senator. it is not included As part of her 2024 platform.
