The Hill News

Three high profile labor disputes made headline news last week. The disputes tell us much about the enduring pragmatism of some of America’s companies and unions, but also speak volumes on the extreme politics of the GOP on labor rights.

First, Boeing and the International Association of Machinists negotiated an agreement that will likely result in the NLRB dropping its controversial complaint against Boeing for illegally retaliating against union workers. For six months, the GOP has used the complaint to pillory the NLRB, with Representative Tim Scott stating last week that the Board had “lost its marbles.”

The Boeing agreement leaves in place Dreamliner production at the company’s non-union plant in South Carolina, while guaranteeing work and improved conditions for its union workers in Puget Sound. It is good news for Boeing and its workers, and a (albeit belated) triumph for commonsense. Boeing recognizes that its union workers have been ! key to the company’s remarkable success.

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