The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has announced that discussions to resolve the machinists’ strike “broke off” without further agreement after the planned mediation meeting.
On September 27, 2024, the IAM District 751 Union Negotiating Committee and Boeing returned to “mediated talks” with hopes of resolving the strike.
“With the support of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS), we had frank discussions about the needs of our members and the expected outcomes they are striving for”, the union said, in a statement released on the same day of the negotiations meeting.
However, no common agreement was reached and talks to end the strike “broke off” with no “further dates scheduled at this time” to resume negotiations. The union’s conditions for ending the strike include a 40% pay raise and the return of a pension plan that was taken away around 10 years ago.
According to the IAM District 751 workers, the union emphasized the importance of restoring the defined benefit pension. The machinists added that, while conversations were direct, no progress had been made on the pension issue.
“The company remains adamant that it will not unfreeze the defined benefit plan,” the union said. “The company also would not engage substantively about other issues that the membership has made clear remain top priorities, like higher pay, quicker wage progression, and more PTO.”
The machinists “remain open to talks with the company, either direct or mediated,” and “will continue to fight for the issues that are important” for them.
On September 23, 2024, Boeing made a “best and final contract offer” to the striking workers, which included a 30% pay raise for employees over the next four years and additional bonuses. However, the workers rejected the offer, continuing the biggest strike at Boeing for 16 years.