Turbulent Winds: A closer look at boeing strikes

by Rumaisa Sydea, Reporter

Local News

Deafening roars of protesting strikers replaced the loud, mechanical hum of production at Boeing. The recent strikes highlight issues surrounding wage negotiations, the general reaction, and the overall effect on the company. 

Mechanics of Boeing were dissatisfied with the wages the company offered them, arguing that they deserve a pay raise for their labor. The union requested for “a number of improvements to workers' packages, including a 40% pay rise” in return for their labor  (BBC). 

According to A.J., a young Boeing mechanic on strike, “[workers] haven’t had a raise since 2008.” With rising housing costs near the Mukilteo and Everett areas, where most Boeing production takes place, it became increasingly difficult for machinists to sustain their quality of life with their current wages. 

In spite of hiking housing costs, Boeing rejected their deal, and have placed a final offer of 30 percent pay rise, including a $6,000 signing bonus if the Union agreed by September 27, 2024. The union’s negotiating team did not have a say or input in this, in Boeing’s words, “non-negotiable offer.” Boeing leadership refused direct talks and more mediated discussion, claiming the offer “addresses feedback from the union and [their] employees,” though Union leaders did not schedule a vote on the 27th (The Washington Post). 

Workers are concerned over pensions as machinists at Boeing lost them in 2014. Older workers at the company are in favor of reinstating pensions to have a clear guaranteed income when they retire. A.J. agrees that “a pension would be nice.”

Generally, the strikers have received a positive response from the community in the Mukilteo and Everett areas. “There’s a lot of honking,” A.J. states. Many cars passing by the strikers honk at them as a show of support. A.J. was striking for two weeks as of September 23rd, 2024. He stood outside to strike every other day. He said that the community donated food to the workers, and so does the Union Hall. 

However, Boeing’s response to the strike can be seen more as a warning. On the Boeing webpage, the company has listed several answers to questions strikers may have. They let strikers know that “active health and insurance coverages (as in effect immediately prior to the strike) will be reinstated prospectively” on the date that the machinists would come back to work (Boeing.com). The site also states that workers will lose health insurance should they decide to strike again after coming back to work. 

The Biden administration supports a deal between the two parties. News channels like CNBC also agree that an agreement that satisfies both parties would be optimal. 

Boeing has endured major losses due to the strike. Bank of America’s CEO, Brian Moynihan believes Boeing should take the opportunity to keep their workers and agree to a pension and better wages (CNBC). “If they really want a pension, maybe that gives you a competitive advantage over people who are trying to attract talent,” He stated. He believes agreeing to better terms benefits Boeing more than refusing a pension. The company lost 571 million dollars the first week and loses 50 million dollars a day as the strike continues. During the strike, Boeing halted production of its aircrafts. Even so, Boeing still makes Dreamliners in its non-union facility in South Carolina, so production hasn’t completely stopped. 

About 33,000 workers stopped striking as of now. 59 percent of Boeing machinists agreed to Boeing’s fourth formal offer, providing 38 percent increased wages. Boeing has resumed production. 

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet. 

Sources

NBCUniversal News Group. (n.d.). NBCUniversal News Group. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/21/Boeing-strike-machinists-prepare-for-lengthy-stoppage.html 

Boeing Strikes: What You Need to Know. (n.d.). http://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg92528y51o

Duggan, Paul. "Boeing's New Offer Amid Machinist Strike. (n.d.). http://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2024/09/23/boeing-new-offer-machinist-strike/. 

Boeing Offers New Contract to Machinists Amid Ongoing Strike. (n.d.). http://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/business/economy/boeing-strike-contract-offer.html. 

Boeing Strike: Workers Demand Pensions Amid Ongoing Labor Dispute. (n.d.). http://www.cnn.com/2024/09/22/business/boeing-strike-pensions/index.html. 

Strike Facts. (n.d.). http://www.boeing.com/specialty/iam2024/strike-facts.

Boeing Workers Strike, Reject Contract Offer. (n.d.). http://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/13/ Boeing-workers-strike-reject-contract.html. 

Boeing's machinists strike is over but the troubled aerospace giant still faces many challenges.

    (n.d.). https://apnews.com/article/boeing-contract-vote-strike-machinists-union-5237a31660b0a06381457e33f9a72369