Overwhelming Vote to Reject Contract Halts Seattle Operations

For the first time in 16 years, Boeing workers have gone on strike. This follows their 94% vote to reject the manufacturer’s proposed contract on September 12.

The 33,000-worker strike is expected to freeze Boeing’s operations at its Seattle hub and cause major turbulence to its supply chain. The manufacturer’s last strike, in 2008, lasted eight weeks and cost the company about $100 million in deferred revenue per day.

With the recent string of embarrassing incidents following the manufacturer, the workers’ decision to strike doesn’t come as a surprise. Boeing leadership had attempted to cut a deal with the union, which offered additional retirement benefits and a 25% raise over four years; however, the original demand was for 40%. As a result, tens of thousands of Boeing’s machinists poured into the polls and created a staggering 94.6% majority in favor of rejecting the contract.

Though turning down Boeing’s offer didn’t guarantee a strike, it was pretty obvious where the situation was headed. Workers needed a two-thirds supermajority to begin a strike: 96% voted in favor.

Now, only one question remains: how long will it last?

“I’m willing to strike for two months or even longer," commented James Mann, a 26-year-old Boeing mechanic. "Let’s go as long as it takes to get what we deserve."

Boeing is attempting to reopen contract negotiations with the Union as a latch ditch effort to end the strike before it gets worse. Still, many employees are unsure if the company will truly give them what they need.

"A lot of the members are pretty upset about our first offer,” 16-year Boeing employee Broderick Conway stated. “We're hoping that the second offer is what we're looking for," he said. "If not ... we're going to keep striking and stand up for ourselves."

The strike pushes Boeing’s reputation one step closer to the breaking point, marking a rough start for the company’s brand-new CEO. Kelly Ortberg took over the role in August intending to restore Boeing’s long-standing position in the industry.

FMI: www.boeing.com