Boeing job cuts, union contract clause could push skilled workers out

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Do these people know WTF they're doing? This is what happens when you have bean counters instead of engineers and technical people running a company.



Boeing’s plans to trim at least 4,000 workers this year combined with many machinists’ plans to retire this fall due to quirk in the current union contract, could undercut Boeing’s factory-floor skill base just when it’s trying to boost production.

“Making these cuts is definitely not in the long run going to lead to higher profit. It could lead to issues and having to recall people,” said Jon Holden, president of Machinists District Lodge 751.

It takes time, Holden said, for people to learn the skills necessary to work in these jobs.

Many aging Boeing (NYSE: BA) machinists are planning to retire this fall, a side effect of the 10-year contract extension members grudgingly approved in January 2014. Under the contract, increases to pensions halt at the end of October 2016, effectively ending one major incentive for workers to stay.

While Holden said he has no idea how many might take this option, those who do will include many of Boeing’s most experienced workers.

“I am concerned it is short-sighted,” Holden said of the push to reduce workers just when the best may already be tipping toward leaving.

“Boeing never does a good job of transferring the knowledge our long-term, highly skilled members have when they move into retirement,” he said.


http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/03/31/boeing-job-cuts-union-contract-clause-could-push.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2016-03-31&u=ColXVN5SPzQtLHFP87ho2w07857290&t=1459467210&j=71939462

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. Boeing should have been more active in creating a journeyman system to train new people.

They could have worked that out in advance with the union. Bring in new union members and transfer knowledge of critical skills.