Today, your Union Bargaining Committee went back to mediated talks with Boeing. With the support of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS), we had frank discussions about the needs of our members and the expected outcomes they are striving for.
We used the recent survey to support our positions and again stressed the need for the reinstatement of the defined benefit pension. While conversations were direct, we did not make progress on the pension issue. The company remains adamant that it will not unfreeze the defined benefit plan. The company also would not engage substantively about other issues that the membership has made clear remain top priorities, like higher pay, quicker wage progression, and more PTO. Talks broke off, and we have no further dates scheduled at this time. We remain open to talks with the company, either direct or mediated. We will continue to fight for the issues that are important to you.
Stand strong, Brothers and Sisters. We will keep you informed of any further talks that are scheduled.
In Unity, Your Union Negotiating Committee
So now we're going to war over the traditional pension? That boat sailed ten years ago! Traditional pensions are dead and can't keep up with inflation. Why don't you explain to our member why more money in our 401k is a better option than a traditional pension. Also, all these old timers crying about their pension need to understand if we did somehow get back a traditional pension it wouldn't be retroactive. Did they forgot about the massive signing bonus and the 10%, 10%, and 6% that went into their 401k the first three years? I have zero confidence our negotiating team can get us a deal at this point.