SEATTLE, 10 Jan. 2014. A majority, albeit slim at 51 percent, of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM or IAMAW) District 751 union members voted to accept Boeing’s last and final proposal for an eight-year contract to build the new Boeing 777X in Washington state.
Members won the opportunity for a vote after having rallied and demonstrated disappointment with union leadership’s previous rejection of the proposal. Washington Governor Jay Inslee event added his voice to the fight. “Union membership gives each worker a say in his or her future. I believe the Machinists should have the opportunity to exercise that right by voting on this contract proposal,” Gov. Inslee said in a statement last month.
R. Thomas Buffenbarger of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers ordered the vote, despite objections by Machinists Union District Lodge 751 President Tom Wroblewski and other elected representatives.
Union members in the Seattle area; Portland, Ore.; and Wichita, Kansas, voted. The decision by union leadership was overturned by the machinists’ 51-percent yes vote to accept the Boeing contract offer on 3 Jan. 2014.
The story doesn’t end there, however. Be certain to read on:
-- Machinist majority accepts Boeing eight-year contract proposal previously rejected by leaders
-- Some machinists call for recount, revote even as Boeing readies $10k signing bonuses
-- Boeing’s Conner comments on IAM 751 contract extension vote
-- Washington State works to hold onto Boeing
-- SPEEA wants details on Boeing research restructuring
-- Washington leaders court Airbus in the U.S.
-- Washington Governor Jay Inslee supports union member vote on Boeing contract proposal
-- Machinists march in protest of union leadership’s rejection of Boeing offer
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