Union representation rejected at Boeing's South Carolina plant

Voting just 68 in favor of union representation and 200 against, workers at the Boeing (formerly Vought Aircraft Industries) plant in Charleston, South Carolina chose to decertify the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers as their union.

Boeing spokesman Tim Healy said in a statement: “We are pleased that hourly workers expressed their desire to deal directly with the company on employment matters without any intermediary.”

Part of the fuselage for the oft-delayed Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliner’ is manufactured at the plant. The first flight of the aircraft is tentatively planned for this fall. Boeing purchased the plant in July of this year and said last month that it is planning a second production line for the 787, which could also be located in South Carolina.

Boeing is the second largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, trailing only the Europe-based Airbus.