Published: Saturday, February 15, 2014, 1:00 a.m.
By Mike Lapointe
Since this whole sordid misadventure in landing the 777 production line
began, I have followed the events as they unraveled. Never had I seen
such a coordinated effort which included members of our political
establishment, leaders in the upper echelon of a union which had
forgotten they are but the empowered representatives of the rank and
file, and at the core of these despicable acts, the Boeing executives.
You can take a stand for or against Boeing, the top union leadership and
the politicians, but to me, in the end, the discussion must turn towards
integrity, leadership and values when addressing culpability. Where was
the integrity of our politicians when they stood next to Boeing and
participated in spreading fear for one’s job? Why did they not stand
with the workers who campaigned and voted for them?
Everett’s mayor claimed to have seen the contract and determined it was
worth accepting “in his heart of hearts.” That is clearly untrue as the
details of the agreement were not even finalized as the vote was being
rammed through. For all we know it is still not finalized. New contracts
are available about two weeks after any settlement, but this one has
yet to be seen on the shop floor.
Congressman
Larsen told the workers they had to take the contract because Boeing
would leave; rejection of the takeaways rendering the company unable to
compete. This is also a falsehood. Put in the simplest context to
understand clearly, the workers traditional pension accounts for about a
fraction of 1 percent of the total labor cost per jetliner that comes
off the production line. Labor cost per jetliner is around 5 percent of
the total.
Some in leadership positions within the Union, tasked with representing
the interest of the membership, failed in their responsibility! Lack of a
true democratic structure that places power in the hands of the rank
and file has been a serious problem in many unions over the years. But
now there is an opportunity to remove the IAM entrenched incumbents by
voting them out in upcoming elections and restoring power to where it
belongs, on the shop floor. The workers have been wronged, this vote,
which should never have taken place, must be reversed and those
responsible for forcing the vote must be held accountable.
Boeing
executives who are the instigators of these nefarious actions must be
asked the question, “What are your values?” Attacking the hard fought
for and well deserved gains of the workers who made Boeing profitable
over decades, is not how one rewards those who created their wealth.
In
2008, the Wall Street bankers and financiers crashed our economy
without even one major conspirator held accountable. Now we have Boeing
taking advantage of the tough economic times to further ravage our state
and its citizens. The wealth inequality the elite have created is an
economic threat to our nation and it must be addressed.
Boeing workers have been hit from all sides with betrayal, intimidation
and suppression of their rights. And so have we all. Boeing, our
politicians, and the IAM’s compromised union leadership are forcing our
hand. Union members and the community must unify to protect ourselves.
The Wobblies motto, “An injury to one is an injury to all” rings true
more so today than it did over 100 years ago. We must continue to speak
up and spread the word of this injustice until it is wiped from the
slate.
Mike Lapointe lives in Everett
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