Boeing offered them EIGHT YEARS of almost GUARANTEED EMPLOYMENT!
How many Americans right now would fall to their knees and thank God if they even got TWO YEARS at the starting machinists rate and benefits, amounting to something like 66K per year?
How many FReepers even?
There’d be one hell of a lot of takers!
Of course you are right and this is why the Unions will be gone within 10-15 years. They have lost public support to a truly remarkable degree.
Many machinists bridled at approving a contract extension that contained a pension freeze and other concessions at a time Boeing had record profits and a record order backlog.
Boeing said its strong earnings resulted from pricing on planes ordered years ago. It warned that its airplanes are now being sold at significant discounts.
A Boeing official wrote to workers saying that, despite the concessions, they would still “receive market-leading wages and benefits.” Many have base pay of $70,000 a year, with some earning $100,000 with overtime.