Union Compares Venue To "Hotel California" -- But Not As Enjoyable

"It's a lockdown." That's how International Association of Machinists (IAM) leader Tom Wroblewski terms a planned meeting this Thursday between union leaders and executives at Boeing, where they hope to hash out a new contract and avoid a crippling strike.

The Seattle Times reports the meeting will begin Thursday night, at the DoubleTree Hotel at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Or, as Wroblewski calls it, the "Hotel California," likening the venue to the classic Eagles song where "you can never leave."

"It's not quite as enjoyable as the song," added Wroblewski.

The meeting marks the final opportunity for both sides to agree on a new contract for 26,000 machinists at Boeing, most of them in Washington. If history is any indication, that process won't be easy... as in the last 20 years, the union has struck Boeing three times, came close to striking once, and approved two deals by majority vote.

"This is a very tense, emotional process," said Doug Kight, Boeing's top labor negotiator. "You are always drained when you are done... Boeing has been successful and employees deserve to share in that success. We also need to make sure we can sustain that success."

As ANN reported, the two sides began talks in May. Both Kight and Wroblewski said they're eager to move on from past strife... though machinists represented by IAM don't seem optimistic that will actually happen.

"They ask: 'How long are we going to be on strike?'" said Wroblewski. "My job is to negotiate you a contract, not negotiate a strike."

FMI: www.boeing.com/2008negotiations/, www.iam751.org/contract08.htm