Machinists say contract talks with Boeing "in deep trouble"

[Omaha Steve]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008080582_boeing300.html

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

Contract talks with Boeing are "in deep trouble," the lead negotiator at the Machinists union said Tuesday, implying that a strike in September is likely if the company's offer doesn't improve.

By Dominic Gates

Seattle Times aerospace reporter

The lead negotiator for the Machinists union said Tuesday that contract talks with Boeing are "in deep trouble" and implied a strike in September is likely if the company's offer doesn't improve.

The tough talk from Mark Blondin, lead negotiator for the International Association of Machinists (IAM), came during a joint teleconference with representatives of the white-collar engineering union at Boeing.

The two unions also delivered a scathing critique of the state of the 787 Dreamliner program and of the company's strategy of global outsourcing.

The outsourcing issue is linked to the contract talks, said representatives of both the IAM and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), because the outcome of the negotiations will show what value Boeing places on its Puget Sound-area work force.

But with less than five weeks before the contract with the Machinists expires, talks between Boeing and the IAM "aren't bearing any fruit," said Blondin.

"So far, all they are talking about is take-aways," Blondin said. "If that continues over the next couple of weeks, they are in deep trouble."

FULL story at link.