Talks between Boeing, machinists break down

[marmar]

from MarketWatch:



Boeing won't budge to guarantee union jobs
Labor talks break down as machinist strike enters sixth week
By Christopher Hinton, MarketWatch


NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- New talks between Boeing Co. and its machinist union collapsed Monday over the job security for 2,000 workers who handle the delivery of suppliers' parts to the commercial aircraft manufacturers' production facilities.

The Chicago-based company's 27,000 machinists walked off the job Sept. 6 after negotiations failed to find common ground with management on union demands for higher wages and pension contributions, as well as improved healthcare benefits.

But issues around job security and outsourcing have taken priority.

Job security was also the only topic discussed when management and leaders from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union met over the weekend with a U.S. mediator, according to Tim Healey, a company spokesman.

In particular, the union focused on securing jobs for its members involved in the delivery, inventory and distribution of parts and equipment from suppliers, but Boeing so far has refuse to guarantee those jobs.

"It's a system that has a lot of room for improvement and more efficiency, and we're not able to (guarantee) 2,000 jobs," Healey said.

No new talks had been scheduled as of Tuesday morning.

Shares of Boeing were down nearly 4% to $45.25 afternoon trading, but were still up 15% from a four-year low struck Friday. Nonetheless, the stock is down nearly 47% this year on concerns of softening global economy, the credit crunch and slower airline-traffic growth. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/boeing-talks-machinists-break-down-over/story.aspx?guid=%7B259395B5%2D504A%2D4732%2DB141%2D1F30AD054FEE%7D&dist=hplatest