Boeing

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) was notified today that the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union has petitioned the National Labor Relations Board a second time for a union election at the company's North Charleston, S.C. facilities. The first petition was filed by the IAM on March 16, 2015, and withdrawn just days before the April 22 scheduled vote.

If the NLRB permits it, a vote will be scheduled for eligible teammates to decide whether they will turn over their rights to the IAM or keep a direct relationship with the company.

"Our team has achieved an impressive list of amazing and historic accomplishments here in South Carolina in a remarkably short period of time, without the IAM," said Joan Robinson-Berry, Boeing South Carolina vice president and general manager. "We've done it thanks to a belief – shared by our teammates – that we could build something special here through a commitment to working together for mutual success.

"We have not forgotten the IAM's history in South Carolina, including their repeated insults regarding our teammates' abilities, their contract with Vought that took away many of the benefits those teammates already had, their attempt to keep Boeing from building 787s in South Carolina through their claim with the NLRB, and their abandoned petition in April 2015. There's simply no reason to believe that anything has changed between then and now."

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, and has consistently held that position for several years.

"One of the great things about Boeing South Carolina is that our teammates already have a voice, and their ideas, concerns and feedback have driven many changes for the better, and continue to do so today," said Robinson-Berry. "Because of our unique ability to work together, we're able to develop and implement those changes quickly for maximum benefit. We believe our teammates deserve to keep their hard-earned money in their pockets while continuing to work with the company to drive meaningful change."

Boeing South Carolina has established several outlets to keep teammates, their families and the community updated throughout this process, including a website and Facebook page that provides information, facts, data and additional resources.

Visit our webpage: www.WeAreBoeingSC.com  
Like us on Facebook: WeAreBoeingSC
Follow us on Twitter: @WeAreBoeingSC

Contact:

Rob Gross, BSC Communications
Office: 843-789-8084
Mobile: 843-276-8643
Email: robert.g.gross2@boeing.com

Tim Deaton, BSC Communications
Office: 843-789-8104
Mobile: 843-469-9397
Email: timothy.r.deaton@boeing.com

SOURCE Boeing