Stephen Brashear
As Boeing (NYSE:BA) faces mounting scrutiny over quality controls after back-to-back safety mishaps, the aircraft maker’s largest labor union is seeking a board seat to “save this company from itself,” the union’s president told Financial Times.
Jon Holden, president of the International Association of Machinists District 751, said a union representative would bring “a grounding and a balancing” to Boeing’s (BA) board.
“We are motivated to ensure our members have a say. We believe we have a unique ability to understand the production system. With what’s going on these days, we are oftentimes the last line of defense, and we have to save this company from itself,” he added.
Holden also said IAM District 751 would support a board seat for Boeing (BA) engineers’ union, if they were to pursue it.
The union, which represents over 30K Boeing (BA) workers in Washington, began negotiations for a new contract with the plane maker on March 7. The existing pact will expire on Sept. 13.
The union is seeking pay hikes of 40% over 3-4 years, measures that restore and grow quality control personnel and oversight, and to ensure Boeing’s (BA) next plane is built in Washington, among other demands. If a deal is not reached, a vote to authorize a strike will take place on July 17.
Boeing (BA) has said it will review all of the union’s proposals and discuss them at the bargaining table.