UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS

Dear Boeing Brothers and Sisters, 

We will begin Main Table Negotiations Monday, May 24, 2010 with the Boeing Company. The goal of your Bargaining Committee is to negotiate a new contract and avoid any strike action. However, in the unfortunate event that the Boeing Company chooses to test the resolve of District 837 Members by proposing to gut seniority and fails to offer a contract that recognizes the hard work of its employees, we are ready for the fight.

As a member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) you have access to benefits under the strike fund. District 837 Members who have continuous good standing for at least two (2) months and who have ceased work on account of a sanction strike shall receive benefits in the amount of $30.00 per week from District 837’s Strike Fund commencing the first week of the strike. 

Additionally, IAMAW Members who have continuous good standing for at least three (3) months shall receive benefits in the amount of $150.00 per week from the International Strike Fund commencing with the third week of a sanctioned strike, in other words, no benefits shall be paid out of the International Strike Fund, unless the strike extends over a period of more than two (2) weeks. 

Members on strike, but not at the time entitled to benefits because of lacking the 2 or 3 months membership required herein, shall be entitled to receive benefits as soon as they have been in good standing for 2 or 3 months respectively. Strike benefits shall continue to be paid through the last day of the week in which the strike terminates. 

These benefits are available to members in continuous good standing for voluntarily serving picket duty of four (4) hours each week. “Picket Duty” is defined by our District, and encompasses actual picket line duty as well as various administrative duties. Persons with disabilities will be accommodated. 

In addition, members currently with prescription medications should consider ordering a 90 day supply through mail order. Detailed information regarding COBRA Health Insurance procedures and rates will be available at www.iam837.org in the near future. 

During the next few weeks I ask that every member continue to show his or her solidarity. I will keep you updated on new developments as they unfold.

            A Quality Work Force Deserves a Quality Contract

Fraternally yours,
Gordon King
President Directing Business Representative