SEATTLE, WA—Over 30,000 Boeing Machinists represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) voted to authorize a potential strike if their current contract negotiations with the Boeing Corporation fail. The vote results are staggering, with nearly 99.9% of workers being in favor of the resolution, according to the IAM.
On Wednesday, July 17th, tens of thousands of IAM-represented workers from IAM District 751 convened at T-Mobile Park in Seattle to hold the vote. The current union-negotiated contract will expire September 12th, with the recent vote authorizing a potential strike.
After 16 years since IAM District 751 had last negotiated with Boeing, both District 751 and District W24 (representing machinists in Portland, OR) are pursuing more substantial employee benefits, including:
- Increasing wages by at least 40 percent over three to four years.
- Quality and safety measures that restore and grow quality control personnel and oversight of aircraft manufacturing.
- Restoring retirement security by reinstating the defined-benefit pension plan the company took away in 2014.
- Lowering out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
- Easing mandatory overtime and other work rules that negatively impact work-life balance.
- Ensuring that Boeing’s next airplane is built in the Puget Sound region.
IAM International President Brian Bryant, IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and District 751 President and Directing Business Representative Jon Holden spoke at the T-Mobile Park convention to fuel support for the ongoing negotiation process.
At the convention, the President of IAM District 751 and Directing Business Representative Jon Holden stated: “We want the company to take our proposals seriously and bargain earnestly. We don’t want to strike—but we’re ready and willing to do so to bring home the best aerospace contract our members have ever seen. We aren’t just fighting for ourselves; we are fighting for everyone. From our family members to the flying public, we want everyone to be proud of this company once again. We are the watchdog with a unique opportunity to make things better for all.”
