Machinists Say Onex's Offer "Unacceptable"

The Canadian investment firm Onex hasn't even officially purchased the Boeing facility in Wichita yet, but already there are signs the new management isn't getting along with its workers. Local union leaders say the company's latest contract proposal is "unacceptable."

"We feel that Onex is determined to break up the industrial unions," wrote Steve Rooney, chief of the District 70 Machinists' Lodge. His memo was quoted by the Wichita Business Journal. "We helped build this company and we deserve better."

The offer now under discussion at what was once Boeing's Commercial Aircraft Plant in Wichita calls for a ten-percent reduction in pay for union workers. They'd also have to contribute more toward their health plans and a change in job descriptions.

Onex recently withdrew a similar contract offer to IBEW electricians. And the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aviation (SPEEA) is taking a tough stand as well, with leaders publicly stating they don't expect to even be offered pay reductions in their next negotiations.

"We do not expect reductions," according to a memo updating SPEEA members on the talks. It, too, was quoted by the Wichita Business Journal. "We do expect salary pools to provide appropriate increases through the duration of an Onex contract."

A statement by Onex, however, indicated the company will forge ahead with plans to reduce worker outlay in Wichita.

"The data shows that Boeing wages and benefits for many of the hourly groups are well above the local aerospace market and that puts Wichita jobs at risk," said Onex Managing Partner Nigel Wright in a prepared statement obtained by the Journal. "We have a solid plan to preserve jobs and then increase them -- and we can achieve this by offering wages and benefits that are at the top end of the local aerospace market."

FMI: www.onex.com, www.d70iam.org, www.speea.org, www.ibew.org