Union eyes Boeing, Airbus plants

The International Association of Machinists has opened twin organizing offices in the South, determined that neither Boeing nor Airbus should operate non-union factories there. Tom Buffenbarger, president of the union in Washington, D.C., said the Machinists are working to organize Boeing's factory in North Charleston, S.C., and the new Airbus plant in Mobile, Ala. “Airbus has arrived, topped off the plant in Mobile, is now advertising for a skilled work force. They’re off and running,” he said. “We want to level the playing field, so these companies can compete on a level perspective, and that’s what serves our members best in Puget Sound.” (Source: Puget Sound Business Journal, 03/19/14)