Boeing Strike Ends After 53 Days

Over 26,0000 members across IAM Districts 751 and W24 located respectively in Seattle and Gladstone, Oregon, voted 59 percent to approve a 38 percent pay raise. IAM District 751 streamed the voting results live on its Facebook page.

The new contract ends the 53-day strike, which has resulted in enormous losses by Boeing Co., including planned layoffs for 10 percent of its workforce.

Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751, said he was proud of the “win” by members.

“Tonight our members had a ratification vote,” Holden said. “…This was a hard-fought strike. There was tough, hard bargaining on both sides. Our members voted to strike and withhold their labor. They stood strong and they stood together. Tonight they secured a victory. They voted by 59 percent to accept the agreement. They get to move forward, the strike will end and now it’s our job to get back to work and start building airplanes, increase the rates and bring this company back to financial success.”

According to the union, the new contract includes a 38 percent pay increase—43 percent when compounded—over its four-year lifespan as well as a $12,000 ratification bonus.

The contract—previously endorsed by IAM leadership—also increases the company 401(k) match to 100 percent of the first 8 percent contributed, along with a 4 percent automatic company contribution. While a much-coveted pension was not offered, the contract offer promises a $105 increase to employees’ Boeing Company Employment Retirement Plan (BCERP).

Monday’s contract approval averts fears over a report that Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg might have walked back items on previously negotiated offers in the case of a rejective vote. The Seattle Times reported on Friday that if the contract had been rejected, the “next contract proposal will be less generous, with potentially serious consequences for the future,” according to Ortberg.

IAM members are expected to return to work by the beginning of their shift on November 12. Workers are permitted to work as early as the first shift on Wednesday.

AirlineGeeks has reached out to Boeing for comment.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.