US
(2009-11-20)
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The first Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner takes shape in the assembly plant in Everett.
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Workers at Boeing's subsidiary in South Carolina voted to decertify the Machinists union in September. Union officials here insist that even though their wages and benefits are costly, putting the second 787 line in Charleston will cost the company more in the long run. Union spokeswoman Connie Kelliher says the Machinists will build the new jet with a fraction of the lower-wage workforce that's been lined up in South Carolina.
"In the meantime, we're also still fixing the mistakes that are imported from around the world, including from that South Carolina plant. We're still fixing fuselage's that come in from there. And we show our value every day."
Boeing executives insist they do know the value of the workforce here. But labor relations spokesman Tim Healy says that was outweighed by demands from the union in talks for the long-term agreement that would have put the second 787 line here. Also, the Machinists have struck on 3 of the last 5 contract offers with the company, which Healy says undermines Boeing's credibility with its customers and hurts its viability as a business.
"Certainly there are risks in standing up a new line in Charleston. But there are obviously risks if we had done it here as well. So it's a matter of measuring those and we feel like we made the best decision - by putting that growth capacity for the 787 in South Carolina."
The Machinists union says no one wants strikes and it will continue to work on improving relations with management. Members will also work hard in the coming months to show their efficiency and skills. They'll be handling extra demand for the 787 temporary 2nd line in Everett until the South Carolina plant is up and running at capacity.
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