Labor has pivotal role in keeping Boeing 787 production in Washington

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/07/06/daily36.html

Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) - by Steve Wilhelm

Labor experts believe that Boeing’s largest union is more likely to agree to a contract extension than a semi-permanent no-strike clause.

The internet was buzzing Wednesday morning with reports that top Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) management is demanding a union promise to refrain from striking as a condition of keeping the assembly of 787 jets in Washington.

This emerged as the latest round in the struggle over whether or not Boeing will keep manufacturing all its commercial aircraft in Washington, following Boeing’s July 7 announcement that it is buying the South Carolina facility of its prime 787 supplier Vought.

Extended labor contracts are becoming more common, especially in the recession, and might be a reasonable way for the union to respond to management’s need for stability, said Gary Chaison, professor of labor relations at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

“Unions are more willing to reach an agreement that’s longer,” he said, adding that the average collective bargaining agreement is now four to five years.

“It makes sense for everybody. It makes sense for workers, because there won’t be times of confrontation for a while,” he said. “It makes sense for company, because it creates stability. It creates predictability, and it makes sense for both parties. I can’t see why there would be strong objections to it.”

FULL story at link.