Short-term news of the potential end to the Machinists strike aside, an aerospace analyst is now saying what this blogger has been saying for some time after watching how events unfolded with the aforementioned work stoppage:
This strike, following myriad others and with little hope of improved relations, will almost certainly precipitate a [Boeing Commercial Airplane] exit. Over the next ten years, BCA will move to southern states with weaker unions and right-to-work laws that diminish union power. As the car companies realized, it's easier to train flexible workers than it is to work with experienced but inflexible workers.
Perhaps the Machinists could announce the results of their Saturday vote on the current contract offer under a "Mission Accomplished" banner?
Posted by Eric Earling at October 28, 2008 08:08 PM | Email ThisAs far as the unions, they're screwed unless the super high cost of living in Puget Sound normalizes itself with the rest of the country.
It's just not that special here anymore to justify the sky high costs.
I will say at least Ron Simms, is asking his unions to share the pain a bit and take twn days off with no pay. I would hope he drops his 1 million dollar slush fund soon, but I do have to give him credit as he seems to be cutting everywhere and understands that the spending spree is over in Washington government. He has about a 100 million dollar defecit to deal with, and it looks like he is actively dealing with it.
I give him credit for that.
Gregoire on the other hand has no clue how she will approach the 3.2 Billion dollar mess she is directly reponsible for after spending 8 Billion and hiring 8100 new state employees.
What is she offering in cuts to match this mess?
4/10's, robbing the smokers fund, robbing the rainy day fund, cutting travel....
Lots of robbing, no cutting
Does that sound like the approach to a 3.2 Billion dollar defecit.
I think not!
Go Rossi, this Gregoire B needs to be retired!
Posted by: GS on October 28, 2008 08:58 PMI'll bet BCA regrets not building the 787 in Kansas.
Posted by: John S on October 28, 2008 10:26 PMwhat i mourn are the customers, suppliers and collateral companies & THEIR workers who rely on the tantrum strikers; they're the ones who really get the shaft;
the "us & them" mentality is hopelessly ingrained; too bad, too sad;
Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on October 29, 2008 05:58 AMTheir strike sure hurt my business and several others I know. This strike is an example of 'trickle down' economics and not in a positive sense.
I listened to a couple of the soccer team parents talk about the election. I, theoretically, was part of the discussion but one of the guys wanted everyone to know why and how to vote for president. Couldn't get a word in edgewise even though the guy had all his facts wrong.
But, one thing folks, rich people are just not going to party if they can't make a reasonable investment. This is the fatal flaw of the socialistic Democratic party.
Folks, I repeat, rich people are not going to invest if they can't make a reasonable profit.
Posted by: swatter on October 29, 2008 07:01 AM
Of course BCA could just as easily move their operations to a different country and get rid of their union problems all together.
I've never like unions, I say sell your labor to your employer at what ever rate you can negotiate, work hard, create value, and you'll get ahead.
Posted by: Dan on October 29, 2008 11:01 AMAt least Boeing would have a non-union assembly line that they could fight to maintain.
Posted by: blindman on October 29, 2008 05:04 PMThe funny thing about the news coverage of the union workers was that they kept saying that they wanted to have their kids work there. I don't see how that is possible when the union is running the company into the ground.
Posted by: Thomas B. on October 29, 2008 06:30 PM