Business

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, October 3, 2008 Boeing hires temps for facilities, janitorial jobs By Michelle Dunlop Herald Writer EVERETT -- A Boeing contractor's Craigslist advertisement recently stirred up questions about how long the company expects its Machinists to strike. On Sept. 26, a contractor posted an advertisement for a temporary job, lasting one to two months. The heating, ventilating and air conditioning technician position is one typically performed by members of the Machinists union. But the Machinists have been on strike since Sept. 6, when a new contract agreement couldn't be reached with Boeing. No meetings have been scheduled between Boeing and the Machinists to discuss a new three-year labor deal. The posting, from a Tacoma-based contractor, promised "BIG TIME OVERTIME!!! 7 day a week 12hrs a day!!! for the next 1-2 months." Boeing spokesman Tim Healy confirmed on Thursday that Boeing has brought in temporary workers to fill facilities and janitorial positions. The workers ensure that Boeing's large factories are functional and safe for the employees -- engineers, technical workers and managers -- who still are working there. "One of our priorities is to provide a safe workplace," Healy said. Boeing has relied on temporary workers to fill similar jobs in previous strikes, he said. But Healy said that Machinists shouldn't read anything into the "one- to two-month" time frame advertised for the temporary job. "I don't know where they got that," Healy said. He added that as soon as the Machinists are back at Boeing, "we don't have a need for the temporary workers." In addition to the facilities positions, Healy said, Boeing has about a dozen nonunion machinists, hired through contractors, working to help the company reach a "critical milestone for a defense program." The temporary workers are assigned to Boeing's Airborne Early-Warning & Control program and are performing ground and flight-test operations. Machinists' spokeswoman Connie Kelliher didn't think the Craigslist advertisement necessarily indicates that Boeing expects the strike to last one to two months. And she wasn't surprised the company had to bring in temporary facilities staff. But, Kelliher noted, the 27,000 striking members will be angry to find out that Boeing has brought in temporary workers on the defense program. "They could have the best, most qualified and most experienced workers doing the job -- that's our members," Kelliher said. Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com. Boeing Machinists' Strike Day 28 No negotiations are scheduled. Saturday will tie the Machinists' 2005 strike. The union distributes strike checks Saturday at the Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe. READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out While the machinists may be pizzed that... there are temps scrubbing the heads, and pushing a broom, they should take note that the original substitute was to have Senior Managers who supervised striking mechanics do it! With considerable good cheer, may I add, and not to diss my old neighbor, Mr. Ed, frankly, they did a better job than the regular guys. The Geezer The Geezer | Oct 3, 2008 7:16 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

1. 'I blew her away,' girl's father told police 2. Tribal leaders accused of smoke-shop tax scam 3. Woman struck by car along Lynnwood street 4. Prosecutor says death was caused by paranoia 5. 5 vehicle pile-up on I-5 snarls traffic 6. For old ferries, it's the end of the line 7. Boeing cuts defense 800 jobs, sees pending delivery backlog peaking 8. Silvertips show Portland no mercy 9. Jackson ponders: What if? 10. Everett to reach out to Silver Lake area 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Edmonds' Pink House staying put • King's wins first state volleyball title • RV in plain sight? City says 'That's illegal' • Timberwolves take Class 4A title • Mavs can't hang on against Capital • TV success shares life as artist, geek • Education at Fircrest Rehabilitation Center in question • Edmonds police pulled over murder victim, suspect • T-birds, Scots break school records at state • Building energy independence from the ground up