SEATTLE — Over 500 workers on strike at Boeing packed the International Association of Machinists Local 751 hall here Oct. 15, chanting, “One day longer, one day stronger” and “Pension! Pension!” Hundreds more spilled outside the hall, where supporters from area unions joined in solidarity. It was the largest rally since the 33,000 Machinists walked off the job Sept. 13, after rejecting an inadequate tentative agreement and voting in favor of a strike by 96%.
Strikers are furious about Boeing bosses’ attempt to go around their union to try and pressure workers to agree to a second inadequate contract offer. The 30% wage offer — which Boeing later withdrew — was well below the union’s demand for a 40% increase. The Machinists’ pay has only risen 4% over the past eight years, while prices have increased more than 21% in the last four years. Boeing cut off company-backed health insurance for strikers at the end of September.
Boeing broke off negotiations Oct. 9, filing an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the union of negotiating in bad faith. Two days later the company announced it will lay off 10% of its workforce and in 2027 end production of its 767 planes, a year earlier than they had previously said.
“It’s time for Boeing to pay back the workers who sacrificed so much over the last decade,” Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751, told the rally. The Machinists have not had a new contract in 16 years.
“They’re sending offers to the media,” he said. “We call on Boeing to do the hard work to come to a resolution, Do what it takes. Bargaining in the press is not the answer.”
“Every single worker has your back,” April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council, told the rally.
“One day longer, one day stronger is when you feel tired, that you can’t go on, when the bills pile up,” Sean Bagsby, business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 46, told the crowd. “That’s when it counts.”
Hundreds of electricians in Local 46 had gone out on strike against Limited Energy in April after rejecting a proposed contract. After 10 weeks on strike, union members won a contract June 19 that included $12.50 in raises, and returned to work. A number of IBEW members joined the crowd outside the rally to show support.
A big delegation from UNITE HERE Local 8 came to offer solidarity and talk about their union battle. Some 400 hotel workers at the DoubleTree Seattle Airport and Seattle Airport Hilton and Conference Center went out on a one-week strike Oct. 12 demanding higher wages and more staffing. According to the union, more than 4,300 hotel workers are currently on strike at Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott hotels in Seattle, Boston, San Francisco and Honolulu.
“We want Boeing management to know that we’re strong and united, and their scare tactics aren’t going to work,” Matthew Wright, a 52-year-old electrician at the company, told the media outside the rally. “We’re not afraid of them.”
“It you don’t fight, you don’t win anything,” Dennis Elder, a Boeing worker at its Seattle Delivery Center, told the Militant.
Throughout the five-week strike IAM members have maintained spirited picket lines. People driving by the Renton plant, including some in a cleverly decorated Halloween truck, honk in support of the strikers.
“We’re just trying to get our fair share of what they make on the planes,” striker Nathan Wheeling said. He explained the union is also fighting to reduce the time it takes to get to maximum pay. He said there’s very little division among strikers. “We’ve banded together.”
Machinist Roger Bland told the Militant that workers are not wavering on the picket lines in spite of the company’s scare tactics. “The newer workers might be concerned about the layoff announcement, but they still support the strike.”
“I’m glad we’re on strike. I have to work overtime to pay our mortgage. You shouldn’t have to spend your whole life at work just to pay the bills,” David Gates told the Militant on the line in Everett. He also said he thought a real pension was more reliable then the 401(k) the workers have now. Many workers, he said, would like to see the pension restored.
“I’m only here for a couple more years, but I want to see the younger people get what they need, like having a home, without having to work two jobs,” another striker said.
As the strike has continued solid, the Joseph Biden administration and big-business interests have increased pressure on the workers to get a deal done. On Oct. 14 U.S. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su flew to Seattle to meet with Boeing and union representatives.
A Wall Street Journal editorial Oct. 13 joined in attacking the workers, complaining the strike has “consequences for national security. The strike is delaying production of military jets.” They threatened the workers, saying Boeing could “lower costs and avoid future work disruptions by shifting more production to its plant in South Carolina.” That plant is nonunion.
The rally and labor support show the strikers are in good shape to continue their fight. Unionists everywhere should show their solidarity.
To send messages of support or make a donation, go to www.iam751.org and click on “Contract 2024.”
Rebecca Williamson contributed to this article.