RENTON, Wash. -- A longtime Boeing employee filed a
complaint earlier this month with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging
his Machinists Union Local 751 "breached its duty" by
"withholding information necessary to vote" on a contract extension
proposal.
Boeing says the proposal is crucial to keeping construction
on the 777X jet in the Puget Sound.
The worker, who started at Boeing in 1985, is named Timothy
Limestall, a former union steward himself.
"I think we're being whipsawed against the international
and the local (branches of the Machinists Union). The only ones that are going to lose are the
Machinists," said Limestall.
Limestall's claim was filed December 11, but was retracted
last Friday. He said he was advised to make that move, and plans to refile the
allegation after the holiday.
His frustration comes from what he believes is a lack of
information from the local union leadership. Limestall said the only clarity
regarding the new contract proposal, which is voted on January 3rd, has come in
the form of "propaganda."
"It's like stealing the vote," he continued,
"If they steal this and they steal our vote, then it's not just us that
lose. Everybody loses."
A spokesperson for the local Machinists Union said it was
aware of the complaint and its attorney was not involved. He added that
information has been made available to union members on the upcoming vote in a
variety of ways, both at work and online. A quick check of the union's website
shows copies of the contract and other material.
The January 3rd vote would extend the Machinists Union
contract with Boeing and keep construction of the 777X plane in the Puget
Sound.
Limestall, who was one of the few union members who voted
for the first contract offer in November, said he's not the only one frustrated
with a lack of information. His
frustrations extend to the divide between international and local union
leaders. The former supports Boeing's
proposal, the latter does not.
Source: King5.com
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