Boeing Machinists Push Back Amid Company Crisis

DALLAS — Over 33,000 Boeing machinists are currently in critical negotiations to secure a contract that meets their demands for better wages, benefits, job security, and safety measures. 

Negotiations began in the spring and have intensified, with round-the-clock discussions starting on August 12.  As the September 12 strike deadline looms, the machinists in the Puget Sound region are rallying at their workplaces, underscoring the urgency of their demands.

Sara Tucker from thestand.org reports that significant gaps remain between Boeing and the union on critical economic issues, including compensation, healthcare, and retirement.

A significant concern for the workers is the concessions they were forced to accept in previous contracts. Tucker notes that Boeing machinists have had the same pay since 2016. Furthermore, apart from pensions, “Boeing “has shifted healthcare costs increasingly to the workers in past years.”

Bargaining in 2024

These negotiations are happening amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing's production practices, pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Aviation Administration, and a global public relations crisis. 

Pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and a corporate culture focused on maximizing profits and executive bonuses compound these issues. 

This bargaining round marks the first time in 16 years that the entire contract is open for negotiation, and the machinists are determined to reclaim the benefits they lost in earlier, piecemeal agreements as public criticism of Boeing is at an all time high.

Boeing machinists are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), and their demands for better pay, benefits, and working conditions include: 

• Wage increase: A 40% raise over three years 
• Health care: Reduced costs for employees 
• Retirement benefits: Increased benefits 
• Jet production: A commitment to build a new jet in the United States 
• Safety and quality: Union input into the production system 

The machinists in question are involved in the assembly and inspection of Boeing aircraft, including the 737 MAX and 777. A strike by Boeing machinists could significantly impact the company's ability to meet production targets. 

Here are some other things to know about Boeing machinists: 

• Contract negotiations: The current eight-year extension of the contract began in 2016. 
• Strike authorization meetings: In July 2024, District Lodge 751 and Local Lodge 63 held strike authorization meetings in Seattle and Boring, Oregon, respectively. 
• Previous strike: The last time the union went on strike was over 15 years ago, shortly before the 2008 housing crisis.