EVERETT, Wash. — For just the eighth time in nearly a century workers at the Boeing Company are on strike.
At midnight on Friday, 33,000 machinists walked off the job. The move could have ripple effects near and far as airplane production grinds to a halt.
Lonnie Holman-Hernandez said he's on the picket line for his two kids.
"I want to be able to buy a home for them, or have them buy their own homes and live the American dream," he said. "And it all starts now."
"Now" starts with day one of the machinists strike.
Among the top issues — pay. Workers want a 40% increase to make up for years without a raise. The company is offering 25% over four years.
"A lot of us have to work weekends, overtime and there's no balance," said flight line mechanic Ben Cruz.
"I don't feel like I'm getting my fair share," adds quality inspector Charles Wilson. "I'd absolutely like to see the company do better."
Another main demand surrounds the return of the company's pension plan which was eliminated in the last contract.
Third-generation Boeing worker Richard Bailey said he can't afford to retire.
"I'd barely be able to pay my bills and if I had any medical issues, I'd be broke," he said.
According to the Seattle Chamber, Boeing supports 194,000 jobs in Washington while generating more than $71 billion in business revenue.
The strike affects more than 12,000 aerospace suppliers around the world, with over 1000 of them in Washington state. A prolonged strike could snarl supply chains and hurt Boeing vendors.
With 66,000 Boeing workers in the state, they impact everything from restaurants to car dealers.
Aerospace workers in Snohomish County spent nearly $36.5 million on automobile purchases last year.
Dwayne Lane Automotive in Everett sells 30% of its cars to Boeing workers. General Manager Kenny Pho worries what a prolonged strike could do to his business.
"Boeing is part of our community," Pho said. "Having all these people basically out of jobs doesn't feel good for anybody. It's not just the impact on our business, but the impact on all the families of those employees."
Back on the picket line, Lonnie and his daughter dig in for what they hope will be a short strike.
"I love what I do. My kids love that I work on planes," he said. "We build planes worth hundreds of millions of dollars. We deserve a livable wage."
Both Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Congressman Rick Larsen are calling for the two sides to get back to the bargaining table as soon as possible.