UPDATE, SEPT. 12: Boeing machinist workers are voting today on whether or not to accept the recent offer from Boeing.
If they vote no on the contract, then they have to vote on whether or not to strike.
In speaking with two Boeing workers this morning, it looks like the contract is getting a big “no” from workers who are holding out for their demand for 40% pay increases over the next five years instead of the 25% current offer includes. Also mentioned by more than one worker, many are voting yes on the strike.
Boeing workers spend up to 1.65 billion dollars yearly in Snohomish County. This would greatly affect the area’s economy while workers are off the job.
We will update you as we get more information, but workers have until 6 p.m. tonight, Sept. 12, to vote.
EVERETT, SEPT. 11: On Thursday, Sept. 12, Boeing’s largest union will vote on whether to accept a proposed contract from Boeing leadership. Their previous contract expires at midnight that night.
On Wednesday, Sept. 11 hundreds of Boeings machinists at the Everett factory walked out during their lunch break to protest the new contract deal.
Boeing leadership and machinist union representatives announced they had reached an agreement for the contract on Sunday, Sept. 8. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is made up of 33,000 members. The last full contract was negotiated in 2008, after a 58-day strike.
Mayor Cassie Franklin released a statement Wednesday saying, “I’m confident that a resolution reflecting the best interests of The Boeing Company, and the International Association of Machinists will be reached.”
The contract includes a 25% pay increase over the four-year contract, with wages raising 33% due to seniority step increases. This is less than the 40% the union argued for during negotiations.
Boeing also agreed with the union to build its next plane in Washington State. Workers would also get bonuses of $3,000, lower health care premiums and increased 401K contributions.
Protests began Sunday afternoon, with union members complaining about the deal on social media, according to an Associated Press (AP) wire service. Workers were also seen chanting “Strike! Strike! Strike!” during their lunch break.
Union workers have expressed the need for pension to be reinstated and that the deal “doesn’t keep up with inflation rates.”
Union members have also been regularly marching and blowing air horns during breaks at the Everett and Renton facilities.
This contract has been described as the “best contract we’ve negotiated in our history,” Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751 said in a statement posted on the union website.
“We have achieved everything we could in bargaining, short of a strike. We recommended acceptance because we can’t guarantee we can achieve more in a strike,” Holden wrote in the statement.
Boeing’s President of Commercial Airplanes, Stephanie Pope, released a video about the agreement on Sunday, Sept. 8.
“Let’s make a commitment to come together on this new contract so we can continue our recovery and build a bright future together,” Pope said.
If workers vote no on the contract tomorrow, they will discuss going on strike beginning Friday, Sept 13. They need a majority of two-thirds of the votes in order to go on strike.
The strike would be different from airline strikes according to AP. It would not have immediate effects on consumers nor cancel flights. It would however shut down production, holding up airlines that ordered planes from Boeing.
Holden said that this deal is imperative for Boeing as they are currently in financial struggles.
“Financially, the company finds itself in a tough position due to many self-inflicted missteps. It is IAM members who will bring this company back on track. As has been said many times, there is no Boeing without the IAM,” Holden said.
