Washington.-Thousands of Boeing workers in the United States voted on Thursday to go on strike to reject a wage contract proposed by the company.
The vote showed 94.6 percent of workers rejected the offer and 96 percent supported striking, according to Jon Holden, president of the International Union of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751.
“Our members spoke loud and clear tonight,” said Holden, who represents about 33,000 workers in the Pacific Northwest. “We are going on strike at midnight.”
Despite the outcome, Boeing expressed its willingness to resume negotiations. “We remain committed to restoring our relationship with our employees and the union, and we are ready to return to the table and reach a new agreement,” the company said in a statement.
Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, had proposed a 25% wage increase over four years, along with a commitment to invest in the Puget Sound region, to avoid a strike.
Ortberg described the increase as “the largest in history” and warned that a strike would “jeopardize our shared recovery, erode the trust of our customers and affect our ability to determine our future together.”
However, workers rejected the deal, which had initially been backed by union leaders. Employees criticized that the 25% increase was not as generous as claimed, as the new contract eliminated an annual bonus.
Paul Janousek, an electrician in Everett, said his actual raise would be only 9 percent after the bonus was eliminated.
“They talk about a 25% increase and that’s not the case,” said Janousek, who has worked at Boeing for 13 years.
Another sticking point was Boeing’s refusal to restore the pension plan and its lack of a clear commitment to build its next aircraft in the Seattle region, which workers view as a promise with no guarantees beyond the four-year contract period.
Joe Philbin, a structural mechanic who has been with Boeing for six months, also expressed support for the strike. “Going on strike is not ideal, but it is the best thing for your long-term well-being,” he said.
He said he would look for other jobs if the strike drags on, but that he and his wife have put off having children until the job situation stabilizes. “Boeing is a huge company, they can afford to pay the people who do the work a little bit more,” he added.
Holden acknowledged that he initially supported the agreement presented as the best option available without having to resort to a strike. However, he declared that “the real power” lies in the hands of the workers.
At a news conference, Holden said recent union victories in other industries had given them reason to “aspire to achieve something as well.”
Richard Aboulafia, director of consultancy AeroDynamic Advisory, said a prolonged strike could affect Boeing’s recovery plans, although he noted that a strike at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems in 2023 lasted less than two weeks.
Boeing has been under scrutiny since January, when a fuselage panel on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX broke off in flight, forcing an emergency landing.
Holden said he hoped to resume negotiations soon. “Thursday’s vote sends a strong message that our members deserve better,” he concluded.
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2024-09-17 06:24:33
What are the key reasons behind Boeing workers rejecting the proposed wage contract?
Table of Contents
Boeing Workers Vote to Strike: Thousands Reject Proposed Wage Contract
In a significant move, thousands of Boeing workers in the United States have voted to go on strike, rejecting a proposed wage contract from the company. The vote, which showed 94.6% of workers rejecting the offer and 96% supporting a strike, is a clear indication of the dissatisfaction among employees with the proposed contract.
The strike, which is set to begin at midnight, is the result of months of negotiations between Boeing and the International Union of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751, which represents around 33,000 workers in the Pacific Northwest. Despite Boeing’s willingness to resume negotiations, workers have made it clear that they will not accept the proposed contract, which they deem insufficient.
The Proposed Contract: A 25% Wage Increase, But at What Cost?
Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, had proposed a 25% wage increase over four years, along with a commitment to invest in the Puget Sound region. However, employees were quick to point out that the increase was not as generous as claimed, as it eliminated an annual bonus. In reality, workers would only receive a 9% increase, which is significantly lower than the touted 25%.
Additionally, workers were unhappy with the company’s refusal to restore the pension plan and its lack of a clear commitment to build its next aircraft in the Seattle region. The proposed contract, which was initially backed by union leaders, was deemed unacceptable by the workers, who feel that it does not address their long-term concerns.
Worker Dissatisfaction: A Growing Trend in the Industry
The Boeing workers’ strike is just the latest in a series of labor disputes in the aerospace industry. In recent months, workers at other companies, such as General Electric and Lockheed Martin, have also gone on strike, demanding better wages and working conditions.
Industry experts point out that the strike is not just about wages, but also about job security and the future of the industry. With the rise of automation and outsourcing, workers are increasingly concerned about their role in the industry and their ability to provide for their families.
Impact on the Industry and the Economy
The strike is likely to have significant repercussions on the aerospace industry and the broader economy. With thousands of workers on strike, production is likely to slow down, and deliveries may be delayed. This could have a ripple effect on the entire supply chain, affecting not just Boeing but also its suppliers and customers.
Moreover, the strike could also have a broader impact on the economy, particularly in the Pacific Northwest region, where Boeing is a major employer. If the strike drags on, it could lead to job losses and economic instability in the region.
The Road Ahead
As the strike begins, both sides are digging in for a long and potentially contentious battle. Boeing has expressed its willingness to resume negotiations, but workers are unlikely to back down without significant concessions.
In the coming weeks and months, the outcome of the strike will depend on the ability of both sides to find common ground and reach a mutually acceptable agreement. As the industry and the economy wait with bated breath, one thing is clear: the Boeing workers
Boeing Workers Vote to Strike Over Wage Contract Dispute
In a significant move, thousands of Boeing workers in the United States have voted to go on strike, rejecting the company’s proposed wage contract. The vote, which showed 94.6% of workers rejecting the offer and 96% supporting a strike, is a major setback for the aerospace giant.
The dispute centers around a wage contract proposed by Boeing, which workers deemed insufficient. The company’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, had offered a 25% wage increase over four years, along with a commitment to invest in the Puget Sound region. However, workers were not convinced, citing that the increase was not as generous as claimed, as the new contract eliminated an annual bonus.
According to Paul Janousek, an electrician in Everett, his actual raise would be only 9% after the bonus was eliminated. “They talk about a 25% increase and that’s not the case,” he said. Additionally, workers were unhappy about Boeing’s refusal to restore the pension plan and its lack of a clear commitment to build its next aircraft in the Seattle region.
The strike, which is set to begin at midnight, could have significant implications for the aerospace industry. Boeing’s willingness to resume negotiations is a positive sign, but the company’s statement that it is “committed to restoring our relationship with our employees and the union” may not be enough to appease workers.
The International Union of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751, which represents about 33,000 workers in the Pacific Northwest, has been a key player in the negotiations. Jon Holden, the union’s president, said, “Our members spoke loud and clear tonight. We are going on strike at midnight.”
The strike is a significant development in the aerospace industry, and its impact will be closely watched. With thousands of workers set to walk off the job, the dispute highlights the need for companies to prioritize their employees’ needs and concerns.
Key Takeaways:
Thousands of Boeing workers in the US have voted to go on strike over a wage contract dispute.
The vote showed 94.6% of workers rejecting the company’s proposed contract and 96% supporting a strike.
Workers are unhappy about the elimination of an annual bonus and the lack of a clear commitment to build Boeing’s next aircraft in the Seattle region.
The strike could have significant implications for the aerospace industry.
Boeing has expressed its willingness to resume negotiations and restore its relationship with employees and the union.
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Thousands of Boeing workers in the US have voted to go on strike over a wage contract dispute. The vote showed 94.6% of workers rejecting the company’s proposed contract and 96% supporting a strike. Learn more about the dispute and its implications for the aerospace
