"Slim" Chance For Benefits Hinges On Labor Practice Complaint Against Boeing

Workers represented by the International Association of Machinists on strike against Boeing are getting union encouragement to apply for unemployment benefits.

The Everett Herald reports IAM has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Boeing, which if upheld may open a door for the Machinists to receive benefits. As ANN reported, negotiations with Boeing over a new three-year contract failed when both sides failed to reach a consensus on pay, benefits, and outsourcing protections. IAM members voted overwhelmingly to go on strike, affecting over 27,000 workers in Washington, Oregon and Kansas.

In the complaint filed by the IAM, Boeing is accused of "improperly questioning" union members about aspects of the contract and providing misleading information. If the complaint is upheld, the union says there may be a "slim" chance for members filing for unemployment to receive benefits, according to the Herald.

Applications for benefits will initially be denied, and members will need to file an appeal. IAM spokeswoman Connie Kelliher said, "It's up to an administrative law judge to decide." Although acknowledging that striking union members do have the right to apply for unemployment benefits, Jennifer Peppin of the Employment Security Department was less than optimistic. "The law in our state specifically disqualifies you for unemployment benefits if you are on strike," she said.

The IAM does provide its members $150 weekly strike pay after the third week of being on strike, which would start next Saturday should the strike remain unresolved.

Boeing also faces a second possible strike, due to a similar logjam in their contract negotiations with the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace. Representing 21,000 Boeing workers, SPEEA Executive Director Ray Goforth called a recent meeting with Boeing negotiators "a missed opportunity to engage in substantive negotiations," and was disappointed by the "same approach... that led Boeing to the Machinists' strike."

Although both unions have previously struck against Boeing, they haven't yet done so in the same year. Looming in the not-so-distant future is the end of SPEEAs contract with Boeing, expiring on December 1.

FMI: www.goiam.org, www.speea.org, www.boeing.com