6:25 PM PDT
We’re here at IAM HQ; the first votes have arrived and are being sorted “I Accept” or “I Reject” the contract offer. We’ll eyeball bestr we can and report throughout the evening.
6:35 PM PDT: VERY early eyeballing, it looks like 3:1 to Accept.
6:45 PM PDT: In a lull waiting for more ballots to arrive. Few members hanging around. Very quiet. Eyeballing looks like 3 or 4 to 1 to Accept. Will be offline until next round of ballots.
7:05 PM PDT: Oregon and Kansas ballots have been counted but results not announced. Green River precinct in Seattle have arrived and result pattern (eyeballing, of course) is consistent with previous posts. We’re going to call this election as an “Accept.” Actual results between 8-830 PM PDT.
7:35 PM PDT: The voting pattern to “Accept” holds up.
8:20 PM PDT: It’s official: the contract was Accepted with a vote of 74%.
Here is the IAM Press Release:
Machinists Approve New Boeing Contract by 74%; 57 Day Strike Ends
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced today that its members voted to ratify a new 4-year contract with the Boeing Company by 74 percent.
The new agreement covers 27,000 IAM members at Boeing facilities in Washington, Oregon, Kansas and California, and ends a strike that began on September 6, 2008.
Machinists will begin returning to work as early as November 2 (for third shift employees) and November 3 for first and second shift employees. Per the Settlement Agreement, members have until the beginning of their shift on Monday, November 10 to return to work.
“Our Union has delivered what few Americans have – economic certainty and quality benefits for the next four years. Each of you stood up and did your part to win this battle,” said District 751 President Tom Wroblewski. “Your solidarity brought Boeing back to the table and made this Company address your issues. After 57 days of striking, we have gained important and substantial improvements over the Company’s offer that was rejected on September 3. I am proud to be a member of the Machinists Union and want to thank our members for their solidarity and commitment.”
“This contract gives the workers at Boeing an opportunity to share in the extraordinary success this Company has achieved over the past several years,” said Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin. “It also recognizes the need to act with foresight to protect the next generation of aerospace jobs. These members helped make Boeing the company it is today, and they have every right to be a part of its future.”
Among the many job security gains, the Union reasserted its jurisdiction over the scope of work of bargaining unit represented jobs that was lost in the 2002 contract. The Union members’ share of medical costs will remain unchanged from 2002 through 2012. In addition to the many monetary gains achieved in the new contract, the takeaway language that was riddled throughout the Company’s 9/3/08 proposal was withdrawn – retiree medical is preserved, survivor benefits are returned, reinstatement of seniority lost due to layoff is returned, promotional rights restored and the list goes on.
As part of the Settlement Agreement, the Union negotiated insurance and benefits will be considered continuous for all returning employees and their dependents. The Company will return all insurance premiums that were paid during the strike and all valid insurance claims will be paid.
Boeing has not issued a statement at this hour.
Update, 10:15 PM PDT: Here is the Boeing statement.
Boeing releaseMachinists Vote To Ratify Contract Offer and Return To Work
SEATTLE, Nov. 1, 2008 – Striking Boeing [NYSE: BA] machinists in Washington, Oregon and Kansas voted to ratify a new four-year contract that includes excellent wages and an industry-leading pension. About 27,000 employees, represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) will begin returning to work with the third shift Nov. 2, ending a 58-day walkout.
“We’re looking forward to having our team back together to resume the work of building airplanes for our customers,” said Scott Carson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. “This new contract addresses the union’s job security issues while enabling Boeing to retain the flexibility needed to run the business. It rewards employees for their contribution to our success with industry-leading pay and benefits and allows us to remain competitive.”
The contract calls for general wage increases of 15 percent over four years, an immediate 16 percent pension increase and lump-sum payments of at least $8,000 over the life of the agreement.
The new contract is for four years, longer than Boeing has typically negotiated with the IAM, which adds to long-term stability for Boeing, its employees, customers, suppliers and communities.
hey Scott, what’s the general mood down there?
Thanks for your updates tonight Scott! Looks like my hubby will be going to work Monday morning and will be out of my hair! Its been a long 2 months! Not sure how retired couples do it! Ha! I will miss my rants hear! Thanks for listening!