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Possible Boeing Move Worries Washington State
EVERETT, Wash. — Riveters once ruled here, as Boeing airplanes rolled off the line and into the sky from giant factories where rivers of aluminum were pounded into form and function. And Boeing, founded in nearby Seattle in 1916 in the era of the Sopwith Camel, returned the favor, building up the Puget Sound region as a blue-collar powerhouse from the 1940s through the commercial jet age. Almost half of the company’s 171,000 employees still call Washington State home. (www.nytimes.com) עוד...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Seattle may be the new Detroit if the Unions have their way.
It's a two way street. Bite the hand that feeds you and your food bowl will eventually run dry. As was said some time ago - the last person to leave Seattle "please turn out the lights". That goes for Boeing too...
And they wonder why companies go overseas!
Reading the comments of the original article gives insight to the liberal mind. But then again this is the NY Times. Just reading the nonsense posted there will guarantee that Boeing picks a right to work state.
Working 25 years and expecting to be paid for close to 60-70 years is not sustainable. It doesn't work for the public sector. Taxes can't be increased forever to keep up with ever-increasing pension payments for very young workers retiring earlier and earlier. It doesn't work for Boeing. Plane prices will not be able to keep up with increasing costs of defined benefit payments for workers that retire younger.
There are still places in the private sector that provide retirements for their employees based on what they earned. In fact, once they put in 30 years, and reach the age 60, they can take the full annuity as long as they live. The system is self funded, and unlike Social Security, is invested outside of the Treasury, which means it is in very good shape to meet the future.
I am not boasting here, but giving evidence that it can be done, and provides workers with a means of living after putting in his or her time. It develops loyalty, something sorely lacking in today's world.
That a company can commit to a benefit plan in one breath, then turn around and welch on that commitment in the next, is a very sad statement on Business today. Even worse is the fact that so many employers say they are investing in the retirement plan, and steal the money for something else. Why should an employee give a care when in fact, they have no idea if they will be able to provide for their family from one minute to the next? The motivation is nil. Some poor schlep puts in a major portion of their livelihood, to find out that not only the gold watch is gone, but their future as well.
I feel pity in some respect, that so many people today hired out with unethical companies who in the end do not care about their employees, and they end up living on margarine and crackers. But, you could have had better, and choose not to. Don't play the envy game with those who have what you want, or think is excessive. You made the choice.
I am not boasting here, but giving evidence that it can be done, and provides workers with a means of living after putting in his or her time. It develops loyalty, something sorely lacking in today's world.
That a company can commit to a benefit plan in one breath, then turn around and welch on that commitment in the next, is a very sad statement on Business today. Even worse is the fact that so many employers say they are investing in the retirement plan, and steal the money for something else. Why should an employee give a care when in fact, they have no idea if they will be able to provide for their family from one minute to the next? The motivation is nil. Some poor schlep puts in a major portion of their livelihood, to find out that not only the gold watch is gone, but their future as well.
I feel pity in some respect, that so many people today hired out with unethical companies who in the end do not care about their employees, and they end up living on margarine and crackers. But, you could have had better, and choose not to. Don't play the envy game with those who have what you want, or think is excessive. You made the choice.
Boeing isn't changing earlier promises. The proposed contract that was rejected only changed future benefits and wouldn't touch any previously vested benefits.
Boeing would NOT be reneging on their promises, if in the future, the weight of legacy payments destroys the financial solvency of the company, and the ability to meet their obligations.
It would be the stubborn refusal to deal with reality that would be ultimately responsible for the future inability to pay these obligations (whether on the part of management, union or workers).
Boeing would NOT be reneging on their promises, if in the future, the weight of legacy payments destroys the financial solvency of the company, and the ability to meet their obligations.
It would be the stubborn refusal to deal with reality that would be ultimately responsible for the future inability to pay these obligations (whether on the part of management, union or workers).