The union representing 33,000 striking Boeing machinists’ on the US West Coast turned down the latest contract offer from the company and decided to continue the strike, now nearing its sixth week.
On October 23, 2024, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 751, announced that 64% of its 33,000 Boeing members rejected the latest contract proposal put forth by their employer.
The new proposal offered a 35% pay rise over four years, a $7,000 ratification bonus, and better retirement contributions, which included a one-time payment of $5,000. However, the company did not propose bringing back the pension plan.
Jon Holden, President of IAM District 751 and Brandon Bryant, President of IAM District W24, said that workers across the United States know what it’s like for a company “to take and take” and 10 years of “holding workers back unfortunately cannot be undone quickly or easily.”
Shortly before the rejection of the proposal, the company reported a net loss of $6.17 billion for the third quarter of 2024. Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg announced he will be focused on “fundamentally changing the culture, stabilizing the business and improving program execution.”
On October 24, 2024, the union shared a post on Facebook, highlighting that all the negotiations, this strike is a “culmination of everything for many people, filled with emotions.”
However, the union firmly dismissed all proposals from the planemaker claiming that none of them “achieved enough to meet members’ demands.” The union is seeking a 40% pay raise and the reinstatement of a pension plan that was removed in 2014.
33,000 IAM union members will keep striking due to failed negotiations. The union said it plans to immediately send new dates for further negotiations to the company.
“After 10 years of sacrifices, we still have ground to make up, and we’re hopeful to do so by resuming negotiations promptly,” Holden added. “This is workplace democracy – and also clear evidence that there are consequences when a company mistreats its workers year after year.”