Boeing Strike 2024 image credit-the associated press
Everett, WA — Boeing’s largest union, consisting of over 30,000 members, cast their votes on Thursday on a new contract proposal with many considering a strike if their demands are not met. The vote follows a week of rallies and protests as union members push for better pay and benefits from the aerospace giant.
Strong Turnout and Determined Voices-Boeing Strike 2024
The voting site at Kasch Park saw a strong turnout as thousands of union members arrived to cast their ballots. Mike Corsetti, a quality inspector and union steward, noted the high level of engagement among the workers. “A lot of people trying to come in and make their voices heard,” Corsetti said. The atmosphere was charged as workers expressed their dissatisfaction with the current contract offer.
Call for Rejection and Push for a Strike
Patrick Casey, a mechanic with the company, made his stance clear as he voiced his intent to vote against the proposed contract. “I hope everybody votes to reject this contract,” Casey said. His primary concern is the lack of a pension, which Boeing had previously eliminated. Casey, like many others, has been actively participating in rallies and marches during lunch breaks to advocate for a strike. “I’ve got the speaker going because we’ve been doing rallies in the buildings at lunchtime and I got no voice left,” he added, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing protests.
Dissatisfaction with Boeing’s Offer
While some union members acknowledged that Boeing’s current offer is a step in the right direction, many feel it falls short of their expectations. The union initially demanded a 40% pay raise over the duration of the contract. However, Boeing countered with an offer of a 25% increase, which equates to an approximate 9% overall pay raise throughout the contract’s term. Corsetti expressed his frustration, saying, “We have members still living in their cars at maxed-out pay because they cannot afford to live in this state and work at this company.”
Paul Janousek, another Boeing employee, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing his decision to vote against the contract and in favor of a strike. “Boeing is portraying to the media that it’s the greatest thing they’ve ever done and it’s not,” Janousek said. He shared a personal story about his daughter, who, despite being younger and a recent college graduate, earns more than he does. “I’m just emotional because my daughter still lives at home and she makes more than I do and she went to college right so she’ll step in for my wife and I but that’s not going to make me sign ‘yes’.”
Boeing’s Response and the Stakes at Hand
In response to the union’s discontent, Boeing pointed to a letter sent by the company’s CEO to its employees. The letter emphasized that a strike would jeopardize the company’s shared recovery, particularly in the wake of recent challenges faced by the aerospace industry.
As the voting concludes and results are tallied, the union’s decision will have significant implications for both Boeing and its workforce. The possibility of a strike looms large, with the potential to disrupt operations and impact the broader aerospace sector. The outcome will likely set the tone for labor relations at Boeing in the coming years.