A group of 176 flight readiness technicians at the Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) North Charleston, South Carolina, assembly plant voted to unionize on Thursday. The final tally was 104 to 65. Boeing has said it will challenge the legality of the union and of the voting.
The South Carolina employees voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the same union that lost a wider 2017 election to represent about 3,000 Boeing employees at the plant that builds 787s. The IAM represents more than 35,000 Boeing employees at 24 locations around the country.
Last week Boeing asked the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to stop the voting and called the proposed bargaining unit “an artificially gerrymandered subset of employees.” The NLRB denied the request on Wednesday and the voting took place Thursday.
This so-called micro-union was encouraged during the Obama administration, but Trump appointees have reverted to the earlier precedent when micro-unions could be formed only by a group of workers whose jobs are truly unique in the company. Boeing argues that even that definition is too broad and “essentially spell[s] the death knell for manufacturing facilities like Boeing South Carolina.”
IAM International President Bob Martinez said:
Unions are the best mechanism for protecting the interest of working men and women. When unions and business collaborate, the American economy prospers and all Americans benefit.
Our members work at Boeing plants across the country. We are glad to add the South Carolina plant to the list. … I hope the company will accept the results and join us in a dialogue about the future of North American industry and the North American worker.
Boeing stock traded up about 1.3% just after the noon hour Friday, at $356.55 in a 52-week range of $184.53 to $371.60.
24/7 Wall St.Take Charge of Your Retirement In Just A Few Minutes (Sponsor)
Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance—and SmartAsset’s simple quiz makes it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor.
Here’s how it works:
- Answer a Few Simple Questions. Tell us a bit about your goals and preferences—it only takes a few minutes!
- Get Matched with Vetted Advisors Our smart tool matches you with up to three pre-screened, vetted advisors who serve your area and are held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Click here to begin
- Choose Your Fit Review their profiles, schedule an introductory call (or meet in person), and select the advisor who feel is right for you.
Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Click here to get started today!
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.