Raytheon (Missile Systems) Replacing Striking Workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://money.excite.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt_top.jsp?news_id=ap-d8mfq2k80&

Saturday January 6, 8:16 AM EST

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Raytheon Missile Systems has started replacing factory workers who went on strike two months ago after rejecting a contract offer.

A union spokesman called the hires "an insult to existing employees."

Production at the factory has risen above pre-strike levels and some projects are ahead of schedule since nearly 2,000 machinists went on strike Nov. 5, Raytheon spokeswoman Sara Hammond said.

But the company can't keep using its engineers as factory workers indefinitely. The plant makes the Javelin anti-tank missile, the Tomahawk missile, air-to-air missiles and ship self-protection missiles.

FULL story at link.

[fasttense]

1. The corporate elite are hiring scabs. I'm sure the bushes are applauding.n/t

[Cooley Hurd]

2. That's it! I'm boycotting Raytheon!

No more missiles for me!:evilgrin:

[entanglement]

3. LOL

n/t

[Toots]

4. Raytheon trusting untrained workers for America's defense for love of money..

Money and Greed more powerful than the Security of America when it comes to GOP industrialists.

[texanwitch]

5. I was about to say the same thing.

I am sure the new workers are well trained.:sarcasm:

[madrchsod]

6. 2000 temps?

that means they interviewed at least 10,000 people,well i doubt they did that... oh wait a minute...those are "no bid contracts" so they write their own cost and profits. dam workers cutting into those big bonus checks

[Solo_in_MD]

9. Most if not all of the contracts were competed

Its not just a good idea, its Federal law

[haymark]

7. Many strikers returned to work

The article did not note that about 500 strikers returned to work within days of the strike start in early Nov.

Question: How much of a raise is necessary and how long will it take for strikers to make up for lost wages for this 2 month strike??

[Omaha Steve]

8. It depends on the reasons for the strike in the first place

If they are job security, health insurance, retirement benefits, etc... Two months of pay my just be worth it. Higher deductibles and or costs for health coverage can fast add up to much more. A funded and safe pension is also something than can make any strike worth it. If you don't think so, NONE of the union workers at ENRON lost their pensions that are still 100 % funded and guaranteed for life. See my point? Take home pay is rarely the only or largest reason for a strike.