Buffenbarger: IAM has the upper hand in contract talks with Boeing

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) strike at Boeing and how the union may have the upper hand in the negotiations.

Members of the IAM who work at Boeing have been on strike for 12 days. Buffenbarger recalled past IAM strikes at Boeing, including in 1989 (48-day strike), 1995 (69-day strike), 2005 (28-day strike) and 2008 (57-day strike). He explained that those strikes were about improving wages and benefits. Both management and labor wanted the company to succeed, and both sides worked hard to make the company the best aircraft manufacturer in the world. 

He pointed to the company’s 1997 acquisition of McDonald Douglas as the start of labor problems at Boeing. Since the merger, there has been a transition from the company being run with an engineering focus to a financial focus. As Boeing management gave way to G.E. management, problems began to surface, according to Buffenbarger.

During negotiations for the past Collective Bargaining Agreement, Buffenbarger said Boeing had the upper hand as it threatened to move its Seattle plant to South Carolina. In exchange for keeping the Seattle plant open, the IAM agreed to switch from a defined benefits plan to a 401k plan. 

Now, the tables have turned as it has been a bad year for Boeing due to the structural issues with its 737 Maxx and 787 planes, plus the problem with its Starliner Spacecraft that stranded two astronauts at the International Space Station. 

According to Buffenbarger, IAM members have the upper hand in these talks and want to return to a defined pension plan, plus be guaranteed that a new plane will be built in Seattle. He said Boeing has resorted to using the illegal Boulware negotiating tactic G.E. used in the 1960s in an attempt to win public opinion. Buffenbarger believes this may lead to a long strike.

Listen to the show above to hear more from Buffenbarger.