Talking Harley-Davidson and Boeing with former International President

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice and former International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his history with Harley-Davidson, ongoing investigations into potential Boeing design hazards and more attacks on railroad safety.

Buffenbarger recapped one of his previous conversations on the show to start today's conversation. With the recent news of two United Steelworkers Locals ratifying new contracts with Harley-Davidson, he discussed how the Machinists and the Steelworkers worked together to assist Harley-Davidson’s ownership when they bought the company from AMF in the 1980s. Buffenbarger shared how their assistance wasn’t just to save the company – it was about providing opportunities for community members and workers to become members of the trades. 

Buffenbarger then discussed the ongoing investigations of the Boeing 737 and 787 planes. He discussed the concerns that employees have raised for years about the planes' unsafe design features. He used the example of a recent story about Boeing using a unique, unsafe solution to a lubrication problem with the doors of the 737 MAX plane. Until the workers are included in the conversations being held by Boeing’s Board of Directors, Buffenbarger believes there won’t be improvements to the safety of the planes being built by the company.

Finally, Buffenbarger discussed the efforts by the owners of several rail companies to water down the Railroad Safety Act that is in Congress. Following several high-profile derailments in the past 16 months, there has been a renewed effort to improve safety on the rails. Buffenbarger said there have been too many lobbying efforts against the proposed safety acts. Until rail companies can be convinced of the need or legislation is passed that would make impactful improvements to safety, it will be a long battle for unions to get something done.

To hear more from Buffenbarger, listen to the show above.