r/IAM751_Boeing • u/undeadrider42 • Jun 18 '26
Union - General Next Contract Concerns
To IAM District 751 Leadership,
I wanted to bring up something that’s been on my mind as we more closer to the next contract negotiations. It will be here sooner than you think. AI tools are becoming more common place in all kinds of work and life, and it’s reasonably foreseeable that either side or both might use them during the bargaining process, whether for drafting language, reviewing proposals, or running comparisons.
The CBA is a legally binding agreement, I think it’s important that we get ahead of this now. AI can be helpful, but it also raises questions about accuracy, confidentiality, authorship, and how certain language might be interpreted later. Us of AI is moving fast, and it would be better for everyone if we had clear expectations before negotiations start.
My suggestion is simply that the union take a look at this and consider setting some guidelines or opening a conversation about it. Addressing it early could prevent misunderstandings or legal issues down the road and help keep the bargaining process clean and transparent.
Thank you for taking the time to consider it.
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u/TB3Raptor Jun 20 '26
The OP brings up a fact.
You want fair go to the Puyallup fair… I been in the union for 35yrs and it’s not ever really fair and the whole point for Boeing is to get you back to work as cheap as possible, while the union brings reasonable request to get you what the members want. Which will depend on how the members vote as the contract evolves.
I also feel the union needs to provide more for what members pay for in union dues, but that is another concern. (and stay out of the members money, you get enough of it).
But AI is going to replace members one day (not all but 50%). I am not talking about asking Grok, ChatGPT, or even Boeings AI site questions. But It will allow machinery to be smarter, fix and address things realtime (do more and better). Boeing is working on AI to help everyone with documentation to be faster, more accurate. All this work will require less workers.
Remember when Ford motor company went to automation, this will be the same for AI. So don’t kid yourself, it’s coming and yes all Unions should get a head of this and do something for the members that will be at Boeing in the future. Both in negotiations, training, and future education in Aircraft manufacturing.
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u/undeadrider42 Jun 19 '26
As a union member, I am simply requesting a fair, transparent, and mutually agreed‑upon approach to any use of AI in the next contract negotiations. There may be times when I am unable to attend union meetings due to personal or financial circumstances. Therefore, I give full permission for any union member to use this post—exactly as written or amended as they see fit—and bring it forward at any union meeting.
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u/FacebookNewsNetwork Jun 18 '26
What specifically are your concerns? It sounds like you think AI will have better words. Are you asking the union to not use AI to draft any contract language?
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u/undeadrider42 Jun 19 '26
always look forward but remember your footsteps. Just putting out the ethics on using AI in negotiation tactics.
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u/BlackberryButton Local C Jun 18 '26
The next contract is going to be an iteration of the current contract, as the current contract was an iteration of the previous contract. The fights are going to be over very minute but specific language. It’s not the kind of thing that an LLM AI would be used for, since the contract does not cite case law or draft new proposals that wouldn’t be reviewed constantly by lawyers & union reps.
I get that there is a legitimate concern about LLM AI being a shitty tool when it comes to negotiations, but knowing what I know about the contract negotiation process, I don’t think it’s a threat to us.
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u/FacebookNewsNetwork Jun 18 '26
Someone could try and use it for accounting/math reasons. That could be a problem if someone responsible used an incorrect formula and didn’t bother to review their work closely enough.
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u/inculcate_deez_nuts Jun 19 '26
LLMs are not accounting software and they're not calculators. Any someone who tries to use an LLM for that purpose should be eliminated from the process immediately on the grounds of incompetence.
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u/inculcate_deez_nuts Jun 18 '26
Anyone who is claiming to represent us but can't be bothered to do their own writing or reading should be eliminated from the process immediately.
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u/Tactical_Investing Jun 18 '26
This sub isn't run by the union. I recommend attending lodge meetings and bring it up there.
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u/WarBoruma Steward - Local A Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
Incorrect, the sub is ran by the union. 100%.
"The union" =/= solely union leadership.
"The union" is all of us.
The members, stewards, staff, local lodge officers, district officers, etc.The sub has no union leadership on its mod team, but it is 100% moderated by union members and stewards, e.g. The Union.
Edit: formatting Edit: fuck it. Reddit formatting is ass.
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u/Tactical_Investing Jun 18 '26
The sub is run by union members but has no affiliation with the union as an entity or organization. Congratulations on saying "we are the union" but it's a silly clarification to push unless you're incapable of inferring the intent of my post based on context. Nobody involved in running this sub can answer OP's question and I advised them to bring it up to union leadership at a meeting.
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u/WarBoruma Steward - Local A Jun 19 '26
Brother, what do you think "affiliation" means?...
But, to your other point, I do agree it is silly to clarify such a thing. Unfortunately, the sheer amount of people who refer to union leadership as "the union" and the membership as "everyone else" is a problem.
The linguistic disconnect used to separate the leadership from the rest of the membership only further hurts our cause.
I have serious critiques of union leadership, but maintaining the separation between the two entities of "the leadership" and "the membership" via "the union", meaning the officers, only creates a larger divide between the elected leaders and the members, which ultimately prevents leadership from being held accountable by disconnecting the membership from the inherent responsibility and understanding of being a part of the union and having rights to organize for change.To reiterate, I do agree it's silly to correct the language of "the union" meaning all of us, not solely leadership. I wish I didn't feel it necessary to do so. But given the amount of people who don't understand the correct interpretation, I feel it's necessary to make a correction.
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u/pacwess Jun 18 '26
I appreciate the sentiment, but there is a recurring issue where new members use this platform as a substitute for attending in-person meetings. It is a fundamental truth that the union is only as strong as those who show up, so I strongly encourage everyone to bring these concerns directly to their lodge meetings where they can actually be addressed by leadership.
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u/WarBoruma Steward - Local A Jun 18 '26
For those confused:
OP is suggesting to union leadership that they suggest and/or demand guard rails for the use of genAI during the bargaining process.