A new report published in The American Prospect has shed light on troubled Boeing’s decision to place profit over safety and quality resulting in tragic consequences for the once-respected corporate giant. The report also asserts that the company purged experienced leaders with predictable results.
According to the report, Boeing suffered a negative culture change under former CEO Jim McNerney between 2005-2015. The airplane manufacturer allegedly emphasized acquiring insider knowledge and trade secrets at the expense of the quality and skills of its workforce.
Boeing purged veteran leaders, outsourced Dreamliner development to boost stock prices, bust unions: reporthttps://t.co/zqQ1uFC2SShttps://t.co/zqQ1uFC2SS
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The report claims that Boeing smeared employees who prioritized workmanship over profits as “phenomenally talented [expletives]” and marginalized them with the goal of forcing them out of the company. McNerney also stands accused of outsourcing much of the development of the 787 Dreamliner to unqualified workers resulting in cost overruns and missed deadlines.
The outsourcing was allegedly carried out to bust the powerful unions within Boeing and cut costs. Accusations include relocating West Coast employees to South Carolina to steer clear of union workers.
Jon Holden the local machinist union president in Seattle told Fox 13 that the 32,000 employees in Washington and Portland are heavily vested in the company despite obvious antagonism. He addressed the negative publicity that began in January when a door plug on an Alaska Airlines flight blew off.
Holden said workers are angry at being blamed for issues related to Boeing. “I know that people are proud of the work they do the product they build and feel that sometimes the rug is pulled out from under them” he stated.
The union president emphasized that there is no Boeing without the labor force and the much-publicized issues within the company only demonstrate how important workers are for its survival. He also noted that the rank and file have more leverage than they’ve enjoyed in years as the focus shines on management missteps.
The report’s findings and the union’s response highlight the ongoing struggles within Boeing as it attempts to navigate a challenging period marked by safety concerns and labor tensions. As the company works to regain its reputation and address these issues the role of its workforce and the consequences of prioritizing profits over quality will likely remain in the spotlight.
