STRIKE 2005

Daily Update - Local Lodge 2766

30 Nov 2005

IAM members protested the presentation of the Alabama Quality Award to the Boeing Company.

Alabama Machinists Picket Boeing Award Ceremony

Distributing handbills to the sound of the University of Alabama’s “Million Dollar Band” practicing nearby, striking IAM members from Local 2766 in Huntsville, Alabama, protested the Alabama Quality Award (AQA) being presented to management representatives of the Boeing Company.

The AQA award honors organizations and companies for innovations that resulted in increased productivity and quality. Part of the AQA criteria includes employee retention, well being, satisfaction and motivation.

The Huntsville Machinists traveled to the award ceremony in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and charged that Boeing failed to meet the criteria for the award.

“Alabama has invested millions of tax dollars into the Boeing Company. Boeing’s repayment is to demand massive cuts in benefits for their Alabama employees,” the handbill read.

IAM members are on strike at Boeing facilities in Alabama, Florida and California over Boeing’s demand for benefit cutbacks and deep health care concessions despite record third quarter profits.