Late yesterday I was informed by the Federal Mediator, Mr. Kirkpatrick that the talks with Boeing tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 18, 2010, has been canceled because of unknown circumstances. A new meeting has tentatively been scheduled for Monday, June 21, 2010.  Boeing has published an update on its website that this meeting would simply be “an opportunity to clarify” its best and final offer leaving your Bargaining Committee with very low expectations.

Last Sunday IAM 837 Members voted to reject the Company’s Final Contract Offer and then voted overwhelmingly to strike if the Company did not address your issues. Instead of requesting to resume talks Boeing assembled tents and painted lines at its factory entrances. Once again the Company chooses to test our resolve. Additionally, at no time this week has the Boeing Company contacted my office and requested to go back to the table. We will wait no longer. 

As of this morning I have notified the Boeing Company of our intent to commence strike action beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2010. 

After months of rejecting the proposals of your bargaining committee and several days to consider the loud message sent by IAM 837 Members last Sunday, The Boeing Company now has just 7 days to prevent a work stoppage, I ask every member to continue to show your support and solidarity. 

            A Quality Work Force Deserves a Quality Contract.

Fraternally yours,
Gordon King
President Directing Business Representative

Members showing up for work at a time not assigned will not be put to work nor receive credit for having worked that week. Members with a conflict in assigned times must follow the procedure for requesting a change.

June 18, 2010

                                    REVISED:  DATE CHANGES ONLY

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Here’s some information you have asked about regarding your VIP plans and COBRA rates.

Q. During the strike, can an employee still apply for a withdrawal or a new VIP loan?

A. Yes. Employees can process any transactions that they normally would. However, you still have to meet the criteria for loans per the plan documents. This is your money and you can still withdraw it as normal. Hardship withdrawals may be requested once an employee has been absent without pay for 15 consecutive business days or more. For more information regarding your VIP, call Total Access at 1-866-473-2016 or online web site at https://myext.boeing.com and click on Boeing Savings Plans.

You will need your BEMS ID (or SSN) and your Total Access password to access your account.

 Q. During the strike, is there a limit on how many VIP withdrawals a participant can make or a waiting time between withdrawals?

A. There is no limit or waiting time. As long as employees meet the requirements for a withdrawal, they may apply as often as needed.

Information Regarding COBRA Coverage Options

Below are questions and answers to help members in deciding on COBRA coverage to continue medical coverage.

 Q. When my normal insurance expires, how long do I have to elect COBRA coverage?

A. You have 60 days from the date coverage expires (or notification was mailed) to decide if you want COBRA coverage. Keep in mind once you elect coverage, it will be retroactive for all months (up to that time) and will be due within 45 days of election date.

 Q. If I elect coverage, how long do I have until the first premium is due?

A. The first payment must be received within 45 days after you elect coverage. Keep in mind when you elect coverage it is retroactive. This means you will be billed for all months back. Remember: you can elect what type of coverage you want, i.e. medical only, medical and dental, life insurance only, etc. EAP is free and will continue.

Q. If I have elected COBRA coverage and have not made a payment, can I go to the doctor?

A. Yes. Inform your doctor you have elected COBRA. There may be a week or two before insurance comes through, but it will be retroactive. Most doctors will cooperate and if insurance initially rejects it, it can be resubmitted. Coverage does not officially begin until payment is received by Boeing and it will be retroactive.

 Q. Do I have to elect COBRA coverage for my entire family or could I just choose COBRA for the member who needs it?

 A. You can select COBRA for any or all members of your family. For example, if your spouse was going through cancer treatments and other family members were healthy, you might only select your spouse for COBRA. You can always add others later (within the 60 day election period) if there is a need.

 Q. Will I be reimbursed if I make a COBRA payment or out-of-pocket medical expenses?

A. Typically, in the strike settlement agreement, the Union insists that your health care coverage be made whole as though there was no interruption. If a person paid COBRA or out-of-pocket medical expenses because of a lapse in coverage, they would be reimbursed for that expense as though there was no interruption in coverage.

 Q. If I elect coverage, but have not paid before the strike is settled, would I still need to pay?

A. Again, the Union typically insists that in the strike settlement agreement your health care coverage be made whole as though there was no interruption. Therefore, you would not need to pay.

 Q. If I only need an office visit for a sick child, can I just pay for the visit rather than electing COBRA?

A. Yes. If you decide to pay the office visit (which is cheaper than COBRA), be sure to ask for a cash discount (the same discount given to insurance companies which is substantially less than the regular rate). If, after the doctor visit, you decide to elect COBRA coverage because more visits or tests are required, you could file a claim to recover what you have paid.

 Useful Advice: If you have a spouse with health care provided at their job, you may want to check about getting  added to their coverage as a dependent. In many instances, a strike could create an event that would allow an enrollment of dependents outside of the regular enrollment period. Remember, in making this decision - You need to do what fits your needs and makes you feel comfortable. Again, we can’t predict when this labor dispute will end, so you need to make the decision that is best for your individual situation.

 The District had some conversation with some private insurance providers, that may provide a cheaper alternative to Cobra.  We are not soliciting for these firms but if a member would like more information please contact; Jerry Conlon at (636) 394-0245 ext. 19.  You can use his office voicemail system and leave a message, or Thomas Rothwell at (314) 842-0960.

 You may also visit our website: www.iam837.org for more information.

BOEING MACHINIST OVERWHELINGLY REJECTED BOEING'S CONTRACT OFFER AND AUTHORIZED THE DISTRICT PRESIDENT TO INITIATE STRIKE ACTIVITIES!

1548 VOTED TO REJECT THE OFFER AND 532 TO ACCEPT

1619 VOTED TO STRIKE AND 459 VOTED NO STRIKE

THE DISTRICT RECIEVED 78% OF THE MEMBERSHIP AUTHORIZING STRIKE ACTIVITES. THIS IS WELL ABOVE THE 66% NEEDED TO DO SO 

For Immediate Release

IAMAW District 837 Hazelwood, Mo 63042, June 13, 2010 1:30 P. M. 

Boeing Machinists Overwhelmingly Approve Strike Activities

            Machinists from The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers District 837, representing approximately 2,533 Boeing-St. Louis employees, overwhelmingly rejected Boeing’s Contract Offer at their Contract Ratification Meeting on June 13, 2010.

With 74% of the membership rejecting the final offer, the District held a second vote, as required by their Constitution to authorize a strike. 78% of the members voted to strike.

            “Your issues were heard loud and clear,” declared Gordon King, President and Directing Business Representative for the Bargaining Unit. “The attack on your Defined Pension Plan is not acceptable. The take-aways of dependent medical coverage should you be on a medical leave longer than six months is not acceptable. The other issues you raised since reading the offer last Thursday is unacceptable. The Company thought you would sell out your future and you said NO! Future members of this community will look back with pride on your courage this day.”

With the strong show of support from the membership, the Union will inform the Company of the results and ask them to return to the table to address the issues.

---END---

June 11, 2010 SpeedFacts

Boeing Delivered the Final Contract Proposal to the Bargaining Committee at 1:00 P. M. on June 10, 2010.

The Bargaining Committee is recommending the membership REJECT the offer.

Click Here To View The Offer

June 10, 2010 Press Release Click Here

Stand with your Union negotiators and fight for pension for all, for medical benefits, and for your fair share. We need unity and solidarity. Our future depends on a sound and solid contract. That begins with YOU! If we accept concessions and eliminate benefits for future hires while the Company is doing well, you can bet Boeing will continue to erode our contracts and take from all of us in the future. What we have today is due to the sacrifices past generations have made. Those at the top of Boeing are not giving back and taking less, and neither should we. Do the right thing and stand together. Vote NO on contract. Vote YES to Strike.

As your negotiating team, we cannot, nor would we even consider, recommending a contract with so much disrespect riddled through it. It is, therefore, our unanimous recommendation is that you REJECT this offer and vote YES to strike. Solidarity is all about sticking together and supporting each other. We will get through this and be better for it.

Anyone hired on or after January 2012 is eliminated from the pension plan. Instead of offering a guaranteed pension, Boeing offers an enhanced 401K with NO GUARANTEES. We have all seen the risks in the financial market and understand the value of a defined benefit. DO NOT SELL OUT YOUR CHILDREN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. If we give up their pension, Boeing will push for them to vote out our pension in the future.

General Wage Increases *0% General Wage Increase first year3% General Wage Increase second year.3% General Wage Increase third year.3% General Wage Increase fourth year.3% General Wage Increase fifth year.

Lump Sum Payment Lump sum first year only $5,000 if ratified. Keep in mind 1/3 of this will go for taxes and it will not continue to pay.

COLA Maintained current formula; however, Boeing refused to pay the final quarter due under the contract per the current formula.

Automatic Wage Progression Boeing refused to put an end on time to reach the maximums. Increased amount of each progression to 50¢ (currently 45¢).

Health Care - Takeaways & Cost Shifting

PPO PLAN TAKEAWAYS/COST SHIFT

• Mandatory generic prescriptions. Even if your doctor prescribes a name brand drug, you pay the generic copayment PLUS the difference in cost between the brand-name drug and generic. Only your doctor should dictate your prescription – a pharmacy should not override your doctor nor should your insurance provider.

• Vision co-pay increases from $15 to $20.

HMO TAKEAWAYS/COST SHIFT

• Office visit copay increases from $15 to $20.

• Specialty office visit copay increases from $15 to $30.

• Vision co-pay increases from $15 to $20.

Medical Coverage While on LOA TAKEAWAY

• Boeing proposes to cut your family out of medical coverage after you are on an LOA for six months even if you are paying your share of the premium. Employees on a leave of absence longer than 6 months will now pay 100% of the medical and dental benefits costs for any dependents in addition to the active employee contribution.

Vote NO on the Contract - Vote YES to Strike

Ballot 1: Do you wish to accept or reject? You must vote for one.

Ballot 2: Do you vote to strike? Yes or No. IMPORTANT: The IAM Constitution requires two-thirds YES vote on this ballot to call a strike. Without two-thirds, even if a majority of the members reject the contract – the contract will be accepted by default.

What Do the Results Mean?h

✔ If a majority of voting members vote to ACCEPT the contract, negotiations end and the contract is signed.

✔ If a majority of voting members vote to REJECT the contract, but LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS vote to strike, the contract is automatically accepted by default. The Union cannot call a strike.

✔ If a majority of voting members vote to REJECT the contract and MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS vote to strike, then the earliest a strike can be called is at 12:01 a.m. June 21st.

June 8, 2010 URGENT UPDATE POSTED 10:18 AM

Who’s Looking Out for Their Future???

Children depend on us to look out for their best interests. But Boeing is hoping you will deny the next generation a guaranteed pension and instead agree to an "enhanced 401k" that offers NO GUARANTEES. Even with a best case scenario, the Company’s proposed formula projects to generate 2/3’s LESS (66%) than the current defined benefit. AND these projections don’t take into account market volatility, fees charged for investment options, future financial collapses, etc. If we allow Boeing to strip this benefit for future hires today, the Company will come after your pension tomorrow AND why would those new hires care?? Boeing’s pension proposal for new hires will at best generate 1/3 of the current benefit. Don’t strip new hires of 2/3 of the current defined pension benefit - VOTE NO!

ORIGINAL SIGNATURES ON FILE//

Gordon King
Stephen McDerman
Jim Randl
Keith Stratmann
Mark Hankley
Roger Smith
Sam Davison
Earl Schuessler
Don Lummus
Bill Brock
Mark Blondin
Mike Edwards
Bruce Darrough

NOTE: The May 20, 2010 SpeedFacts inadvertently listed Administrative Duty in the event of a strike as being four (4) hours in duration. The SpeedFacts should have read Administrative Duty is eight (8) hours in duration.

The Negotiating Committee is continuing to discuss your contract at the Main Table. As you read in the recent SpeedFacts, there are several issues still facing the membership that you have expressed grave concern with. We will continue to work toward a Contract worthy of your consideration. We hope for the best but must prepare for the worst.

The Tentative Strike Assignments are now available on-line. Please remember these are not firm until you receive a SpeedFacts stating all on-line postings are firm. This is due to the complex nature of scheduling and the Strike Committee may need to make some last minute adjustments.

While the District made every attempt to accommodate as many requested assignments as possible, there were some requests that were filled before all requests were honored. The entire process was first come first served but the District retains its obligation to make assignments as needed to ensure all picket duty and administrative duty assignments are covered.

Click the red date just above or below this message box to find the strike duty page dated June 1, 2010.

NOTE: The 3 character alphanumeric behind the time slot for picket duty is used as a specific gate assignment in the event you are forced by Boeing to reject their final offer (a place holder to ensure all assignments are covered). If a strike is forced upon you, the Strike Captains and Check-in persons will give you the gate you will be at when you report for your assigned duty. Additionally, ALL members are assigned duty. If you did not turn in a request sheet, it is still the obligation of the District to give a specific duty to each active member in good standing employed at Boeing.

Main Table Negotiations began May 24, 2010. It is the Bargaining Committee's sincere hope the company will remove the proposals left over from the Sub-committee meetings that we just cannot agree with. 

The District will continue to use SpeedFacts as the primary method of communicating, but your website will contain a lot of information that does not appear in the SpeedFacts. It will also be used to raise awareness of issues that need rapid and accurate disbursement of information direct to the membership. A date will appear above and below this text indicating the last time a Negotiations Page was created or modified to allow you to determine if there is anything new to view since your last visit. Click the date to be transported to the 2010 Boeing Negotiation Index Page.