September 2009 751 AERO MECHANIC Page VOL. 64 NO. 8 SEPTEMBER 2009 IAM Pride Keeps P-8 on Track and Budget District 751 members in Renton cel- ebrated alongside elected officials and Navy top brass this summer at a roll-out ceremony for the newest submarine-hunt- ing jet in the fleet – the P-8A Poseidon. Naval officers said they’re looking forward to at long last getting a replace- ment for the P-3 Orion, which has been patrolling America’s coastlines since the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. “In the fleet, we are tremendously excited to get a new airplane,” said Rear Adm. Bill Moran, the commander of the Navy’s anti-submarine patrol forces. “We’ve gone almost 45 years in the community without the new car smell.” And for 751 members, it was a chance to celebrate a major milestone in a pro- gram that – so far, at least – has stayed on time and under budget, and without any mandatory overtime. “We’re dedicated to the success of this program,” said 751-Member David Madsen. “We want to see it happen.” Top Navy brass at the P-8 rollout in Renton praised the work of our members who have ensured the plane was “It’s ownership,” added fellow Mem- delivered on time and on budget - a testament to the skills of our members and other Boeing employees. ber Cheryl Parr. “We like this plane.” The formal roll-out ceremony on July business, went out of his way to praise on the plane, Albaugh said – specifically Albaugh said P-8 represents “great 30 was attended by Governor Chris the Puget Sound workers who delivered the Union members of both the IAM and technology and cutting-edge innovation Gregoire, Chief of Naval Operations on the Company’s promise to provide SPEEA, along with their front-line man- on the part of the engineers and the Admiral Gary Roughead and Boeing’s the Navy with “the most-advanced capa- agers. He also praised the staffs of both manufacturing personnel,” and called it own top executives. bility in the world.” Unions for “the support they provide for “another milestone for Boeing’s 90-year Jim Albaugh, the president of “Today really validates the hard work their workers,” which, he said, “had a lot relationship and for manufacturing here Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems and excellence” of everyone who worked to do with the plane rolling out today.” Continued on page 4 Members’ Repairs Save Thousands 737 Flies on Union Power Thanks to the expertise and experience When the spindle for a machine in the In August, Boeing reached another mile- can happen when Boeing partners with of our members in the Auburn ‘spindle Long Beach facility was in desperate stone in aerospace history when it deliv- its Union workers, Wroblewski said. shop,’ Boeing saved nearly $100,000 on need of repair, Long Beach initially con- ered the 3,000th next-generation 737 from “I don’t think it’s any coincidence repairs of a machine at the C-17 facility in tacted the manufacturer, Cincinnati the factory in Renton, a 737-800 that will be that the most-successful plane in Long Beach. This highly experienced shop Milacron, to get a bid. When Cincinnati’s used by India’s Jet Airways. Boeing’s history is also the plane that is one of ten specialty shops in the Fabrica- bid came in at $110,000 to $125,000 “When you think about it, it’s really has the most Union labor going into it,” tion Division of Auburn that are available with three weeks down time for repair, amazing the kind of success Boeing has Continued on page 4 to help any Boeing facility with the main- the shop decided to look elsewhere. They had with this airplane,” tenance or repair of their equipment. Still, contacted the Auburn spindle shop and said District 751 Presi- many shops are unaware of their existence were impressed with the answer. dent Tom Wroblewski. even though these experts are top-notch 751 Mechanics in the Auburn shop “It’s been an incredibly and have years of experience in their trade. estimated they could save them nearly profitable airplane for $100,000. Just as the Company for de- impressive as the cades, and a big reason cost savings, the for that has been all the shop had a spare hard work by our mem- spindle they bers who build it.” could swap out – It was the second making the down major milestone for the time of the ma- 737 program this year. chine minimal. Back in April, Boeing 751-members Ed delivered the 6,000th Plazola and Scott 737 overall – including Stagner were sent both Next Generation to California and and Classic models. In completed the job comparison, Airbus in just three days this summer delivered – saving the Long its 4,000th A320 vari- Boeing saved nearly $100,000 in repair bills by having Renton flightline mechanics Bill Cummings, Mike Beach facility ant. members in the spindle shop perform Long Beach Meador, Dave Garin and Sean Clark pose in front of repairs. L to R: Scott Stagner, Business Rep Heather both money and Reaching these the 3,000th Next Generation 737 before its delivery to Barstow, David Henry, Ed Plazola and Rick McKinney. Continued on page 5 milestones shows what customer Jet Airways of India in August. First Contract Remembering One Our Workers’ Inside Index Flight Service Specialists of Our Finest Comp Advantage President's Message ......2 with Lockheed Martin District 751 says farewell Washington has fifth Political Action ............... 3 ratified a first contract to friend and colleague lowest workers’ comp Guide Dogs Events ....... 6 in August Jimmy Darrah rates of any state Labor History ................. 8 7 Retirement...................... 9 12 2 Want Ads ........................10 Page 2 751 AERO MECHANIC September 2009 REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT Three Big Wins and One Tragic Loss by Tom Wroblewski, But not this time, not with our even to the Canadian Auto Workers who Boeing has not proposed any kind of fabricate fairings up in Winnipeg – more District President Company and not with this airplane. long-term no-strike agreement, and our Our members at Boeing delivered Union labor goes into the 737 than any four-year contract remains in place. This past month was a the P-8 on time and within budget, other Boeing plane. It’s certainly no co- We’re going to keep meeting with the roller-coaster ride. and did it without working manda- incidence, in my mind, that that plane is Company to find ways we can improve On the one hand, our tory overtime. How? It’s pretty the most successful one in Boeing’s his- our relationship, but this process is going members working for simple, really: you take a proven tory. We should be proud. to take time, and we might not meet the Boeing in Renton cel- manufacturing process and a highly It goes to show what great things can media’s artificial deadlines. ebrated two major mile- skilled, experienced and motivated happen when the Company partners with its In the meantime, it would help a lot if stones with the Company: the rollout of the workforce and you will get these kind of workers, and every day I’m making the case the media, the analysts and our friends in Navy’s P-8A Poseidon, and the delivery of results every time. to Boeing managers that they should be public office would simply back off and the 3,000th Next Generation 737. This is exactly why Boeing and our building on that proven model for success. let us work this out. We don’t need Another proud moment came in members should be building the next gen- Receiving the Mother Jones Award anyone stirring things up. Wenatchee at the Washington State Labor eration of tankers for the U.S. Air Force was particularly gratifying, coming as it And finally, Jimmy Darrah. It seems Council’s annual convention, where I ac- here, instead of at some not-yet-constructed did from our fellow Unionists who know like I’ve known him forever. He was cepted, on your behalf, the Council’s an- factory filled by not-yet-trained workers in how hard a strike can be. always someone you could count on – as nual Mother Jones Award, which honors Alabama. And yes, I think this is exactly None of us went into the 2008 contract a Blue Streak mechanic on the shop you and the stand you took in solidarity last why Boeing should someday open a sec- talks hoping for a strike. Strikes are – and floor, as an officer in Local C, as a work year, by telling the Boeing Co. that it was ond 787 line in Everett, instead of South must always be – a last resort for our transfer rep in Renton, and most-recently time for them to keep their vendors out of Carolina or Texas or anywhere else the Union. But sometimes a strike is the only as a business rep and grievance coordi- our factory and to share the wealth with its bloggers can dream up. option, and last year you chose to stand nator here at the Seattle Union Hall. workers instead of trying to take it away. The second positive thing that hap- your ground and not accept a contract that Continued on page 11 But there was major frustration and pened in August was the delivery of the would have wiped out any wage gains with sadness, too. The bloggers and politicians 3,000th Next Generation 737 built in Renton.