Oct

15

Latest Round of Talks between Boeing and Union Fails

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The Boeing Company whose factories have been shut down since September 6 due to striking workers, has declared that another round of talks over the weekend has failed to break the deadlock.

Chicago-based Boeing has been involved in negotiations with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers which represents around 2700 hourly production employees. After talks broke down on September 5, Boeing shut down its assembly lines the following day thus further lessening any chances that its new 787 would roll out by the stipulated deadline.

Both Boeing and the workers’ union have been at loggerheads at the company’s increasing use of external contractors and over the company’s demand that workers shell out more for their health-care benefits. Boeing had proposed to raise its offer by 11% over the next three years but the plan was shot down by the union. The union on the other hand is demanding a greater share of the company’s profits for its workers in Washington State, Oregon and Kansas on grounds that Boeing has landed lucrative contracts for jets that use less fuel. Unions are also demanding exclusive use of its workers in delivery of materials within the company factories besides wider opportunities for its members to compete for work that the company intends to outsource to outside parties.