Machinists, Boeing release dueling videos in the face of union vote in South Carolina
Mar 17, 2015, 7:30 AM | Updated: 7:35 am
It didn’t take long for the punches to start flying in the face of plans to unionize Boeing’s factory in South Carolina. The company and the union have posted competing Youtube videos and released statements going after each other.
The Machinists union has asked for an election to unionize about 2,500 workers at the South Carolina plant.
Related: Machinists union seeks election at South Carolina Boeing plant
The IAM’s Mike Evans said, “It is about wages. It is about hours, and it is about working conditions. Those three things are all probably equal in value to the workers, here. It’s not just strictly about wages. And a lot of it boils right down to dignity on the job.”
Boeing South Carolina worker Jerry Guerena said, you’re fighting for a better life for yourself, your family, for your coworkers and you just have to stand up. Boeing just keeps preaching, ‘Don’t let them take your voice.’ Who do we listen to? One person, or a thousand people?”
But Boeing put out a statement saying the Machinists union has not been part of the success in South Carolina, and it is now stepping-in to divide the team just as the factory is getting into rhythm.
From the statement:
Boeing firmly believes that a union is not in the best interest of Boeing South Carolina teammates and their families, their communities, and the state of South Carolina, especially after years of the IAM insulting the abilities of Boeing South Carolina teammates and fighting against BSC’s success.
Boeing also released its own video attacking the union for how hard it fought against the South Carolina plant:
“For years the IAM had nothing good to say about Boeing in South Carolina, and our teammates. They said it was a mistake for Boeing to build airplanes here. They called us a proven loser and said I will work with union Machinists look good.”
The video goes on to remind everyone how the union sued to get the South Carolina plant shut down.
“Despite everything they said about us before, now they say they want to represent us and be our voice. They have filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Are you kidding me?” asked the video’s narrator incredulously.
Boeing believes it is not in the best interest of the workers to unionize. Of course, it’s also in Boeing’s best interest that those workers not unionize. That’s why Boeing moved to South Carolina in the first place.
So far there’s no word on when the election will be held. South Carolina is not union friendly. Governor Nikki Haley has said that she will use her heels to kick unions out of her state.
