Workers vote to disband their union

Boeing Co. production workers in North Charleston voted overwhelmingly to disband their union Thursday in a move that could give the region an edge in landing an aircraft plant the company is looking to build.

Of the 267 workers who cast ballots, 199 were in favor of decertifying the 2007 election that made them members of the International Association of Machinists.

"We are pleased that hourly workers elected to deal directly with the company on employment matters," said Boeing spokeswoman Candy Eslinger. "We are also pleased that Boeing Charleston can move forward and meet commitments on the 787 program."

The North Charleston plant makes rear fuselage sections for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, a new fast-selling lightweight jet that has been delayed by snags with suppliers as well as an eight-week strike last year by the IAM.

The union was disappointed in the vote, said spokesman Bob Wood.

"While we believe the workers at the South Carolina Boeing plant would be better served and their rights protected with union representation, ultimately, it was a decision those workers would make," he said.

Wood also said the IAM was "frustrated that Boeing did not remain neutral and allow these workers to make a decision free from pressure, intimidation and coercion."

Eslinger said the aerospace company complied with all federal labor laws regarding union decertifications. She also noted it was an IAM member who initiated the vote.

"We told our employees that Boeing would respect the decision of the majority ... on this particular question. That being said, Boeing's preference is to deal directly with employees, not through intermediaries. We expressed that view to our employees," she said.

Boeing has said it would consider North Charleston and its manufacturing hub outside Seattle, among other sites, for a new 787 assembly plant. A decision is expected by the end of the year.

Eslinger dismissed speculation that the vote to make the plant union-free would give South Carolina an advantage over any other sites being reviewed.

"The two are not connected whatsoever," she said.

Wood disagreed, saying the company "is playing a perverse game of pitting community against community for the most taxpayer money, and pitting worker against worker for the cheapest possible labor, using these tough economic times to take advantage of both."

The National Labor Relations Board, which oversaw the secret-ballot election, must certify the vote within seven days, Eslinger said. Objections can be filed during that period.

Boeing notified officials last month that it would seek permits to build the new 787 assembly line in North Charleston. The company insisted the move was merely a precaution and should not be interpreted as a decision to expand in South Carolina.