Striking Boeing workers: 'We'll go the distance!'

by Elizabeth Yates

This article was reprinted from the October 21, 1995 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

SEATTLE - The strike by aerospace workers against Boeing Airplane Co. entered its third week with the company determined to force unacceptable conditions on its employees -- and its 34,000 employees, members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM), equally determined to defend their jobs, their working conditions and their benefits.

"We hope it will be a short," a striker told the World during an Oct. 11 rally at Boeing's Seattle headquarters. "But we are prepared to go the distance if we must."

In his remarks, IAM President George Kourpias said, "We have been willing to talk anywhere, any time since the beginning of the strike." This was Kourpias' second visit to the Seattle area where 24,000 Boeing workers live and work. Ten thousand more work in Spokane, Wash.; Portland, Ore. and Wichita, Kansas.

Workers and their families marched the eight blocks from IAM District 751 headquarters to the Boeing plant. A picnic spirit prevailed, along with what one supporter called "an affirmative atmosphere." Signs carried by marchers said, "We produce quality products," "World class security," "Make profits off airplanes, not off retirees."

Russ Young, reflecting the company's arrogant attitude, said Boeing was "willing to talk when there is something to discuss." Boeing workers are angry at the company's practice of sending jobs to non-union plants in the U.S. and overseas. Last minute proposals for cuts in health care benefits further angered union members. Union leaders said the company's proposals for "radical changes" in existing health plans were made so late in negotiations that it was "impossible for the unions to adequately evaluate or respond."

Many union members consider the last-minute proposals on the health issue a distraction from the issues of job security and wages. They argue that the company hopes that concern about the loss of health benefits may result in a trade-off between health care and the main issue of loss of jobs.

Company plans to maintain a minimum delivery schedule have evidently been easier to announce than to fulfill. In spite of putting supervisors and other non-union personnel to work painting planes and doing other finishing tasks, several deliveries have been postponed and other delays are expected.

The humorous touch has been added to militancy on picket lines. Recently a four-foot tall effigy of Boeing President Frank Shrontz "joined" pickets at Boeing's main gate as workers called public attention to Shrontz' windfall of $7 million in stock bonuses. At other gates pickets gathered around barrels containing cozy fires to ward off the high breezes and cold rains that distinguish fall in the Puget Sound area.

Bargaining talks with the Seattle Professional Engineering Employees Association get under way Oct. 23. SPEEA members have been volunteering for picket duty which is credited to an IAM single parent. Single parents among IAM strikers had trouble paying for child care while they did picket duty. Money for babysitters took a big chunk out of the $100 a week check from the strike fund.