Offer reflects cost of doing business

Regarding the letter, “No takeaways for management”: I felt compelled to write to correct some misconceptions. Everyone at Boeing, with the exception of corporate executives in Chicago, are giving back. SPEEA did in its last contract, which is similar to what is now being offered to the Machinists. The office support are really taking it in the shorts, and beginning in January, all managers lose overtime. They will be required to work, but will not get any overtime for it. They have the same retirement plan that is now being sought for the Machinists. Is this a good contract? No, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but we have no choice.

Times have changed, unions are not powerful as they once where, even the mighty UAW has realized that concessions need to be made to keep their employers in business. Whether it be corporate greed, or the economy, or stiff competition, the American manufacturer can no longer compete in the world that is decidedly stacked against it. We have the Chinese to worry about. There is Japan, and Europe, which heavily subsidizes Airbus.

I am fifth generation Boeing, and I don’t like this offer, but I also can’t fathom the idea of a great company leaving after 100 years. I can’t even imagine a Washington without Boeing, but Detroit comes pretty close. Is the company’s offer blackmail? Some might look it as such, but it is in fact only business to them, and they have no choice either. What is the point of a union, if there is no longer a company around for those union workers to work for? The letter writer is right on several fronts, this is a monumental decision, and will be forever life-changing for current and future Boeing employees. He is also correct in his statement that “Boeing will continue to build the worlds best airplanes”, unfortunately for us, they just wont be built in Washington.

Richard and Desiree Peterson

Granite Falls

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.