In case you haven’t already heard – the votes have been counted, the contract deal is ratified, and the almost-two-month-long strike’s over. A now ex-striker in WSB-land points us to the official announcement on the union website. Some workers go back to work tomorrow.
Thank goodness – reality has finally sink for these folks and they realize that they had it good, hope I do not lose my job because thing have gotten so bad…..
We have had it good because we fought for all that we get. It really sucks when you don’t have people behind you because they have a crappy job with crappy benefits. If you could get more you would but…you can’t. When the company comes in every contract and tries to take money out of your pocket you have to stand up for what you feel is right.
“Machinists” at Boeing
I am sick and tired of the media calling these hacks “machinists”. These people are airplane assemblers that are in the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. There is no way in hell that these overpaid rivet gun operating monkeys could build you something kool for your motorcycle,car or let alone run a lathe.
Being a true machinist it angers me.
Here is the definition of MACHINIST:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machinist
A machinist is a person who uses machine tools to make or modify parts, primarily metal parts, a process known as machining. This is accomplished by using machine tools to cut away excess material much as a woodcarver cuts away excess wood to produce his work. In addition to metal, the parts may be made of many other kinds of materials, such as plastic or wood products. The goal of these cutting operations is to produce a part that conforms to a set of specifications, usually in the form of engineering drawings commonly known as blueprints.
90 percent of the people in the “machinists” union at Boeing have never run a lathe, mill or done any type of machining. They are just people riveting panels, wiring parts of the plane and installing seats. Whatever.
For all the time I have worked in media, both “old media” and this form, I believe we used that term more as shorthand for “machinist union members” much the same way that, for example, in my old industry, some members of engineering unions were referred to as “engineers” in labor-issue context, even though the engineering union also represented some board ops whose jobs consisted of watching the signal go out over the air, checking off log entries, and occasionally pushing a button. FWIW … TR
Hey WSB. I wasnt directing this at you. Media was just a generalization directed at all media.
Thanks to all union members, everywhere, for standing up for working people! We ALL benefit from their courage and determination.
TIW, I know, I just sometimes like providing context, having spent so many years in “conventional media” newsrooms. Thanks to everybody for commenting, from so many perspectives, as always …
Sorry, comment time is over.
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