EVERETT, Wash. — Boeing's machinists union said Tuesday it will not vote on the company's latest contract proposal. This comes after the company presented an offer to members that was not negotiated with the union.
"I think the strike will continue until the membership decides what's being offered is of real benefit to them," Nisan Banin, a union shop steward in Everett, said. He told KING 5 the latest contract offer is still not enough.
"For 10 years, we had not just stagnated wages but regressive wages," he said. Boeing's latest offer includes a general wage increase of 30% over four years which is up from the original offer of 25%. However, the union originally was seeking 40%. It also includes a doubled ratification bonus of up to $6,000 and increases to matches on retirement contributions. It also continues the company's commitment to build the next new airplane in the Puget Sound region.
Banin is a 13-year veteran of the company. He said this contract needs to make up for the last decade.
"Some of our members cannot afford housing, we even have several members living out of their vehicles, they're essentially mobile homeless and they're just trying to get by," he said. Boeing ended its pension in 2014 which has become a major sticking point for those on the picket lines.
"Many executives in the company are pension holders themselves so for them to take away pensions as pension holders, doesn't make a whole lot of sense," Banin said. It's not just what's missing on the offer that has union members and leadership upset, it's how Boeing presented the offer.
"Non-traditional and not strictly legal, they're definitely playing outside the bounds of the rules," Banin said.
Boeing sidestepped the union negotiating committee and went directly to members.
"We should be at a point where we can just deal with each other the way that was agreed upon like adults, this resembles a child throwing a tantrum," Banin said. Tuesday marked the 12th day of the strike. Next week, union members will miss their first paychecks but members say they are united and will stick this out as long as it takes until their demands are met.
Boeing said it will give union members an extension so they can vote on the offer and provided this statement saying, "This strike is affecting our team and our communities, and we believe our employees should have the opportunity to vote on our offer that makes significant improvements in wages and benefits. We’ve reached out to the union to give them more time and offer logistical support once they decide to vote.”