Boeing workers vote on whether to approve a possible strike

Tens of thousands of Boeing hourly workers have been called to a vote in Seattle on Wednesday to authorize a possible strike if ongoing labor negotiations stall.

“What can you do to get a good contract?” asks Local 751 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) on its website. “Take part in the strike authorization vote on July 17!”

The local group represents nearly 32,000 people in the Seattle, Washington area, including about 30,000 at Boeing plants in nearby Renton, where the US aerospace giant’s 737 is assembled, and in Everett, where the 777 is assembled. A strike would bring production to a halt at both factories.

In March, the two sides began talks on a new treaty to replace a 16-year-old agreement that expires at midnight on September 12.

Wednesday’s vote comes before a collective bargaining agreement is presented to union members. If members reject the agreement, a second vote would be needed on Sept. 12 to allow a strike.

Boeing described Wednesday’s vote as a “procedural” step that does not necessarily mean a strike.

“We remain confident that we can reach an agreement that balances the needs of our employees and the business realities we face as a company,” Boeing said in a statement.

Local 751 union president Jon Holden called for a “substantial” pay raise of at least 40 percent, as well as health insurance, retirement benefits and job security.

Holden called for a sharp wage increase after workers received little living support over the past eight years despite “massive inflation.”

At a Senate hearing last month, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said workers would “definitely get a raise.”

The union also wants assurances from Boeing that the company will build its next new aircraft – expected in 2035 – in the Seattle area.

Holden said knowing the next aircraft will be built in the Pacific Northwest means “job security for the next 50 years.”

Sign of solidarity

The IAM said talks have largely stalled in recent weeks. The union is hoping for a large turnout on Wednesday to send a strong signal to Boeing.

The event will take place at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, the stadium of the Seattle Mariners baseball team, which has space for up to 48,000 spectators. The IAM is also planning a parade with around 800 motorcycles on Wednesday.

“The purpose is to show our solidarity with Boeing,” the IAM website states.

“The factory will be quiet,” the local group said. This would send a “message that our proposals are being taken seriously and a reminder of what would happen if our members rejected an inferior offer and voted to strike in September.”

Boeing said it would allow its employees to leave work early or come in later on Wednesday to ensure “reasonable” travel time.

“We respect and support our employees’ right to participate in the July 17 vote,” Boeing said. “Partial absences from work will be excused and will not count toward attendance calculations.”

The IAM says the early strike authorization vote also gives union officials a legal basis to prepare to pay workers strike pay should a strike occur.

From the third week of the strike, strikers are entitled to a weekly wage of $250.

The IAM also aims to obtain at least one seat on Boeing’s board of directors, but this demand is considered unlikely.

In addition to the workers in Washington, IAM District W24, which represents 1,200 Boeing workers in Oregon, will also vote on Wednesday.

Given Boeing’s current problems, the union wants to be able to negotiate any changes in quality management that could impact the production system.

“We have never proposed such things in the past, but this is about our reputations, our jobs, our livelihoods,” Holden said.

© 2024 AFP