 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
December 08/January 09 Aero Mechanic Newspaper online
Click here to download the December 08/January 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (2.7 mb).
Winter Weather Information
Boeing provided the Union the following message to post regarding winter weather:
"With Washington and other states throughout the United States suffering from severe winter conditions, call the Boeing Employee Emergency Hotline (1-800-899-6431) to determine if there are any business closures. If your site is open, but due to weather conditions you are having issues getting to work, please call your manager to determine the best options. For reference, the following time-charging guidelines apply.
* Non-exempt hourly and salaried employees may request that their full or partial day absence be charged to vacation and may use vacation credits in any increments to cover their partial day absence. Absences not charged to vacation will be charged as time off without pay.
* Sick leave is not to be authorized for absence because of severe weather conditions.
* Time off for union-represented employees will be granted, as applicable, according to the provisions of each union's collective bargaining agreement with the company.
Again, to find out if your Boeing site is affected by weather, call the Boeing Employee Emergency Hotline at 1-800-899-6431."
Boeing Security and Fire Protection recommends you take steps and actions to protect yourself and your family. Read more
Local C meeting as scheduled
The Local C meeting for Thursday at 10:30 am will proceed as scheduled however, due to inclimate weather conditions, stewards who cannot make it in will be excused.
Applications Accepted for IAM/Boeing Joint Apprenticeship Program Jan 2 through Jan 31 2009
Applications will be accepted for the following three trades:
Cellular Manufacturing Machinists
NC Spar Mill Operator
Tool & Cutter Grinder
To obtain an application between January 2nd and January 31st, call the apprenticeship office at 253-351-1918 Read more
Changing Economic Factors Result in Zero COLA for December, 2008
Calculations for the December 5, 2008 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) resulted in a negative 4 cents ($ -.04). However, since previous COLA payments were already rolled into the base rate on September 5, 2008, no money will be taken away from the pay of our members. Pay cards are being printed with the new minimum and maximum rates, which include the 5 percent General Wage Increase.
COLA is generated quarterly under the IAM contract and is based on the federal government's Consumer Price Index. The next quarterly COLA will be March 6, 2009.
SPEEA Members Approve New Four-Year Contracts
SEATTLE – With one of the largest ballot returns in union history, engineers and technical workers approved new four-year contracts with The Boeing Company. The agreements take effect at midnight. At stake were contracts covering nearly 20,400 engineers and technical workers represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001. Votes were counted Monday, Dec. 1 at union headquarters in Seattle. Read more
2009 Labor History Calendars $5 Available at all Union Offices
The 30th Anniversary Edition of the Pacific Northwest Labor History calendars are available at all Union offices for just $5. The calendars are full of labor history throughout the region and make a great stocking stuffer. Pick up yours today.
Flu Shot Prevention Program
BoeingWellness has been offering free flu shots throughout November to employees at company worksites across the U.S. again this year. Some sites will also offer flu shots to contractors, retirees, and others at a cost of $21 (payable by check only to Maxim Health Systems). Read more for upcoming schedules.
Holiday Overtime IS Voluntary per LOU #11
As the holidays approach, it is important for members to understand their rights regarding overtime on holidays and weekends connected to holidays. We have contract language, which limits Boeing's authority to assign mandatory overtime.
Letter of Understanding (LOU) #11 states, "ALL OVERTIME ON A HOLIDAY as set forth in Section 7.1 of the contract or ON THE WEEKEND WHICH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDES A MONDAY HOLIDAY OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS A FRIDAY HOLIDAY SHALL BE VOLUNTARY. The only exception for holiday overtime noted in the LOU is "where necessary for facilities maintenance." No employee shall suffer retribution for his/her refusal or failure to volunteer. Read more
November Aero Mechanic Newspaper available online.
Click here to download pdf (3.0 mb).
Strike Settlement Guarantees Members Reimbursed for Medical Expenses
As part of the strike settlement agreement, the Union insisted that Boeing make all members whole on their benefits (medical, dental, life, etc). The coverage shall be considered continuous as though there wasn't a strike. If you paid COBRA premiums, you will get a reimbursement check.
If, during the strike, a member or dependents had medical expenses billed from their doctor, clinic or hospital, simply resubmit the bill to Regence for payment (if they have Selections or Traditional Medical Plan). Read more
Lump Sum Payment
In a letter of clarification from Boeing in regard to the first lump sum payment: The first lump sum payment will be made through normal payroll practices (i.e. direct deposit if that is how you are normally paid) on or before November 7, 2008 even if employees return to work on November 10th. The exception will be for employees who between September 3, 2008 and the date of contract ratification (Nov. 1, 2008) commenced work, were rehired, recalled or cleared to return to work from leave of absence. The lump sum payment to these employees will be made on or before November 19 through normal payroll practices.
Machinists Approve New Boeing Contract by 74%;
57-Day Strike Ends
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced today that its members voted to ratify a new 4-year contract with the Boeing Company by 74 percent.
The new agreement covers 27,000 IAM members at Boeing facilities in Washington, Oregon, Kansas and California, and ends a strike that began on September 6, 2008.