This month, the aerospace industry has been facing down work stoppage threats by two deep-pocketed unions. Those would be the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the International Association of Machinists (IAM), which both aim to squeeze military plane manufacturers. In the process, one union’s international president has been tossing around wrestling catchphrases, while another took his sweet time visiting striking workers.
If you guessed that Shawn Fain is the more histrionic of the pair, you’d be correct. The troubled UAW president presided over a rally ahead of a late-night strike deadline while shouting, “Are you ready to rumble?”
Fain might not occupy his current position for much longer, so perhaps he’s getting showmanship in while he can against a leading industry employer:
- Last week, UAW members authorized a strike against GE Aerospace in Ohio and Kentucky, where 600 workers walked out on Thursday morning after their contract expired on August 27.
- Workers at these facilities build engines used by the U.S. Navy and also handle over 70% of global parts distribution for GE Aerospace.
- UAW Local 647 President Brian Strunk has been publicly pressing the company over an increase in healthcare premiums, which is a widespread issue across the U.S. The union also cannot get its numbers straight in public-facing messages while making claims.
This week, GE Aerospace workers at another Ohio facility ratified a new five-year IAM contract covering 550+ workers. Elsewhere, that union is currently embroiled in a nearly month-long strike against Boeing:
- In July, IAM members rejected Boeing’s contract offer that included 20% wage increases along with a $5,000 ratification bonus for St. Louis-area workers.
- The resulting strike has now entered a fourth week and involves 3,200+ Boeing workers in Missouri and Illinois. As of midweek, talks have been indefinitely halted until further notice.
- Meanwhile, International IAM President Brian Bryant waited three weeks before visiting the St. Louis picket line. Not incidentally, Bryant received a total 2024 compensation package of $432,000.
- A progressive website criticized the union for taking three weeks to start issuing $200 per week strike checks to IAM members.
Are these Big Labor organizations concerned more about their members or in making a show of strong-arming employers? Well earlier this year, IAM claimed a big “win” at the bargaining table after a two-month Boeing strike by 30,000+ workers ended with a contract including 38% raises.
Yet those higher labor costs gave the company no choice but to cut 10% of its workforce. If more layoffs happen as a result of the current UAW and IAM contract battles, then you can bet that Fain and Bryant will point their fingers while deflecting blame.
