Boeing strike affects Triumph plant

Triumph Composite Systems Inc. could lay off more than 200 employees as the Boeing Co. labor strike and production shutdowns cut parts deliveries.

About 45 employees at the West Plains factory were scheduled for layoffs today, and more could be out of work by week’s end, said Triumph president MaryLou Thomas.

Triumph is a major supplier to Boeing since taking over the plant several years ago from the aircraft giant. Employees continue to manufacture flight deck components, air ducting and floor panels for Boeing.

But the Machinists’ strike against Boeing that began Friday is curtailing orders and work. As Boeing methodically shuts down its assembly lines for production of 737s, 777s and other commercial jets, related cutbacks at Triumph will follow.

Those laid off from Triumph will continue to receive benefits such as health insurance as outlined in union contracts. And once the Boeing labor dispute is resolved, the laid-off workers expect to be hired back, said Paul Milliken, business agent for the union representing Machinists at Triumph.

Triumph bought the plant west of Spokane for about $40 million several years ago as Boeing continued to focus more on design, assembly and sales of aircraft and away from parts manufacturing.

Thomas called the layoffs regrettable and due to forces outside of Triumph.

“There are no adversarial relations out here,” she said, adding that the layoffs will affect all employees.

No one at Triumph is privy to information other than what has been publicly discussed by Boeing and its Machinists, Thomas said.

“Our people are talented, hard-working and dedicated to building products for world-class aircraft manufacturers, and we are hopeful for a quick resolution to this Boeing-IAM labor dispute,” she said.

The Machinists contract at Triumph expires in 2007

Though Triumph will continue filling supply contracts with other customers, the Boeing situation will have a major effect on sales.

About 18,500 Boeing Machinists walked off the job Friday, rejecting the company’s contract offer.

The strike is not expected to jeopardize the aircraft maker’s sales lead over European rival Airbus, according to analysts who spoke with the Associated Press.

It is the first Machinists’ strike of Boeing since 1995, when workers picketed factories for 10 weeks.

The union hopes to regain some of the concessions it made in the aftermath of 9/11.

No negotiations are scheduled and a settlement could be more than a month away if history between Boeing and the Machinists is any indicator.