"Ernie" has some thoughts on Boeing's proposed move to South Carolina.
The National Labor Relations Board recently sued Boeing and halted them from opening their new plant in South Carolina. (This all after the plant was completed). They claim the only reason they built in South Carolina instead of Everett, WA was in retaliation for the many years of difficulties they've had with the IAM union. Actually Boeing offered to build in Washington if the union would agree to a 10-year freeze on striking. The IAM refused.
The NLRB is a 5-member independent board that's appointed by the president and approved by congress. For several years the board consisted of just 2 members (Wilma Liebman and Peter Chaumbez). In 2009 Obama appointed 3 more members to complete the board. Craig Becker, Mark Gaston Pearce and Brian Hayes. I don't suppose those Obama appointees yielded to WH pressure do you? Course not.
Thomas Geoghegan (a Chicago labor lawyer) wrote a piece for the 6-20-11 WSJ claiming that Boeing built their plant in S.Carolina plant is against the law according to a 1935 NLRB law prohibiting businesses from retaliating against unions. His article titled "Boeings Threat to National Enterprise" claims Boeing is moving in order to pay $14/hr wages instead of $28. He further claims that the less sophisticated, less educated and less productive workers of the south were not as capable as northern employees of building Boeing's new 787. His insults against southern workers didn't go ignored by many in the private sector. Here are a few reasons why:
BMW: Auto manufacturing plant in South Carolina
Mercedes Benz: Auto manufacturing plant in Alabama
Lockeed Martin: Manufacturing plant in South Carolina
Redstone Arsenal: Huntsville, Alabama
NASA: Houston, Texas
Nissan: Auto manufacturing plant in Jackson, MS
Toyota: Auto manufacturing plant in tupelo, MS
FedEx: Memphis, TN
VW: Auto manufacturing plant in Georgia.
(Just to name a few).
The arrogance, stupidity and dictatorial edicts of the Obama administration seem to have no limits.
The IAM, along with the UAW, SEIU, etc. gave Obama a ton of support in the 2008 election - which no doubt made the difference and got Obama elected. It's a no brainer that Obama MUST have their support in 2012 if he hopes to get another term. By using his office to direct the NLRB to take this ridiculous action, Obama shows the IAM - and ALL unions - that he's their man, bought and paid for. It doesn't matter whether Boeing wins or not, the point is still made. It's a win-win for Obama, albeit an unethical and immoral one.
Posted by: Rook | July 01, 2011 at 08:00 AM
It always amazes me that union members are so "me-me-me" that they'll vote heavily for dems. Aren't there any union members who can put aside their own greed and do what's best for the country? Guess not.
Posted by: Bogey | July 01, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Over ten years ago Boeing wised up and decided to move its HQ from here in Berkely North to Chicago. Number one was the very anti-business mentality Washington state had then and still has. Number two was, and still is, the radical union mentality in western Wahington. Remember, Harry Bridges was, and still is, a saint of the "working man" in Seattle. Only in a socialistic anti-"the man" area would the state's university boast of something like its "Harry Bridges Center For Labor Studies."
Posted by: 98101 | July 01, 2011 at 09:16 PM