Boeing settled?

The Seattle Times is reporting Boeing and the Machinists' union have reached a tentative agreement on a 4 year deal that will secure Washington state as the location of the company's fabrication of the 737MAX. The agreement purportedly includes a resolution of the unfair labor practice complaint issued over the relocation of part of the 787 fabrication to South Carolina. Previous posts here and here. The NLRB case has become a volatile political issue. Although NLRB Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon must approve any settlement of the case, it is unlikely the NLRB will stand in the way of a settlement pushed by the IAM. Supporters of the Company's relocation of work to South Carolina should also be happy as the fabrication facility there will continue operations if the settlement is ratified by the union membership and approved by Solomon.

Boeing case delayed

The high-profile unfair labor practices case against Boeing is stalled pending federal court enforcement of NLRB subpoenas to the company for documents. It is unlikely the case will be resolved before the end of 2011. At that point, it is likely the NLRB will no longer have a quorum of 3 members. Member Becker's recess appointment ends in December. Congressional Republicans are likely to filibuster any appointments thereby preventing the Board from having the third member necessary to function. A recess appointment is a possibility, but that requires a recess, something Republicans have avoided by keeping Congress in session. Previous posts here.