PORTLAND, Ore. — Boeing union members have voted to reject the proposed contract between Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
If accepted, it would have ended the strike, which has lasted 40 days. Late Wednesday evening, IAM District 751 and W24 Machinists, however, voted 64% to continue the strike, which will continue at designated picket locations.
In a joint statement, sent out late Wednesday regarding the vote to reject the proposed contract, from Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751, and Brandon Bryant, president of IAM District W24, said:
“The elected negotiating committee of workers did not recommend for or against this particular proposal. After 10 years of sacrifices, we still have ground to make up, and we're hopeful to do so by resuming negotiations promptly. This is workplace democracy — and also clear evidence that there are consequences when a company mistreats its workers year after year.
"Workers across America know what it’s like for a company to take and take — and Boeing workers are saying they are fully and strongly committed to balancing that out by winning back more of what was taken from them by the company for more than a decade. Ten years of holding workers back unfortunately cannot be undone quickly or easily, but we will continue to negotiate in good faith until we have made gains that workers feel adequately make up for what the company took from them in the past.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant also issued the following statement late Wednesday:
“The entire IAM Union, all 600,000 members across North America, stand with our District 751 and W24 membership. Their fight is our fight — and we support their decision to continue this strike for fairness and dignity for Boeing workers.”
Boeing declined to comment on the vote.
The tentative deal offered a 35% general wage increase spread out over four years and provide a ratification bonus of $7,000. It would have allowed a one-time contribution of $5,000 to each eligible member's 401(k). In regard to the 401(k), it included a company match, increased to 100% of up to 8% contributed, plus an automatic 4% company contribution.
“We have touched every area that our members told us was the concern: wages, retirement, some time off. We have touched all those areas and made improvements in all those areas. It's up to our members to decide if those improvements are good enough,” Bryant said earlier on Wednesday.
However, the contract does not bring back the pension that those who have worked for Boeing for years want — and for some, it led them to vote no on the tentative deal.
“It doesn’t go far enough. No. It doesn't help the people out who have been here, for stagnant wages for ten years,” said Scott McNaught, who has worked at Boeing for 26 years.
He said workers need their pension back, and the 401(k) increase isn’t good enough.
“For new hires, it's probably great; they have plenty of time. For people like me, we don't have the time left,” said McNaught, adding people voting should consider the long-term effects a 'yes' vote would have.
Others, like Ron Nguyen, who has worked with Boeing for almost a year, said the contract was good enough for him to accept.
“I think it’s good for me," Nguyen said.
In regard to the 401(k) increases, he said, "I'm still young; I have time to save up and stuff like that. A lot of the old timers here, they are really set on the pension.”
Nguyen added that he got a second job when he realized the union was going to go on strike, and with his growing family, he would go back to work as soon as Friday if the contract passes.
“In the end, everybody has their own opinions," he said. "What matters is the whole union stays strong together. If it’s yes, we're going back to work, if it’s no, I’ll still be here.”
Still, other workers who have also only worked with Boeing for a year said they think union members should keep holding out.
“I hear all the older people that have been here for years,” said Tim Thornton. “They're willing to buckle down and sit this one out and hold out for more. I'm willing to fight with them. I'm doing fine. I have another job; I'm not struggling.
“We want change. This is how you get it,” he continued. “I pray we hold out one more, if we get two more, even better, because every chance is an opportunity for Boeing to come forward and do a little bit better, give us a little bit more.”
He and others picketing at the Boeing site in Gresham said what machinists do is skilled work, and given planes are complicated to build, he said they deserve more than the low wages some of them have started at.
“At the end of the day, everybody is just tired of things costing too much and the cost of things rising and rising while pay doesn't, and we just have a chance to do something about it, so we are,” said another Boeing employee who wanted to remain anonymous.
This comes as Boeing revealed Wednesday that they are facing a $6 billion quarterly loss. It also announced earlier in October that they will reduce around 10% of their workforce in the near future, and certain programs are being delayed or even outright stopped in coming years.
When asked for comment on Wednesday, Boeing sent a statement, saying, “We look forward to our employees voting on the negotiated proposal.”
Bryant said Boeing’s struggles are not all related to the strike.
"I think Boeing needs to make some changes to how they've been doing things. Boeing's been in trouble with the FAA, and a lot of things were going on even before our strike — even before bargaining — they're in a tough spot. They can't get out of that tough spot without us," said Bryant.
If the contract passes, workers can return to work as soon as Friday, Oct. 25.
Union members must return to work by Thursday, Oct. 31, if the contract is passed.