Boeing went in a very uncharacteristic manner in asking the aerospace engineers’ union to grant an unemployment status this time round as there is still a strike going on but their efforts were thwarted instead. This article attempts to explain the positions of the union and how they would affect the current sociopolitical impasse.
Union Stands Firm
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) which recruits aerospace engineers in Boeing, has disallowed the company’s request to enforce a furlough of its employees during the present strike. This is a dramatic reversal from the past where the unions used to search for solutions within the frameworks addressing the problem.
SPEEA President John Dimas stated to them that there is no justification which exists to vary the provisions which allow no undefined lay offs. This is a measure that further demonstrates the union’s resolve in safeguarding the rights and entitlements which have been earning by their members over the years.
The union’s stance on the furlough request can be interpreted as an indication that Boeing’s cost-cutting strategies will not be easy to implement. This implies that the union is willing to hold firm in regard to the values and the employment of its members no matter the market condition of the company.
Boeing’s Continued Business
Without a doubt, the current industrial action has brought a loss to Boeing in terms of its operations. Chief Financial Officer of the company, Brian West has confirmed that the same is true for Boeing as this company is currently trying to avoid spending a lot of money while in talks with the machinists union.
In an effort to address the effects of the strike, the company has required its managers who are not in the union to stay at home without pay for one week in each month. This policy which is not popular instead is accused of being employed by the firm as a crazy move to avoid the complete collapse of the business at this time of difficulty.
The impact of the strike has resulted in the complete cessation of work at the company’s aircraft manufacturing plants located in the Pacific Northwest, with tremendous financial consequences. Many experts believe that the conservative estimate of the entire strike cost to the company is 100 million dollars per day, and that it will take years for the company to recover ‘as it was in 2008.’
The strain is on Boeing’s management and, in particular, on its CEO Kelly Ortberg. The summer this year has seen Ortberg assume blend business he has taken up one of the initial serious test of action of this is trying to get an end to this industrial conflict and win back the union and the employees of the company.
Conclusion
The continuing conflict between Boeing and its union of aerospace engineers shows the difficulties chiefs have to cope with the relations with labor. Even as Boeing tries to cut costs and operate. The union does not relax in protecting the rights as provided in the negotiations with the employer. Apparent disregard of the furlough request is indicative of the organizational loyalty of the union and is a precursor to a looming action that is not likely to be pleasant. As the works stopping moves, the state of affairs in the Company as Boeing and its workforce continues to be at crossroads which has great ramifications on the entire aerospace industry.
