IAFF I-66, Boeing reach tentative deal to end lockout

RENTON, Wash. (May 29, 2024) — The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local I-66 and The Boeing Co. announced late Tuesday that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that would end the company’s lockout of its unionized fire fighters that began on May 4. The results of a contract ratification vote are expected on Thursday, with the union recommending approval.

Boeing and the union released a joint statement Tuesday that reads:

“After new talks this week, Boeing and IAFF Local I-66 are pleased to share that we have come to a tentative agreement that would end the lockout and months of negotiations. This tentative agreement addresses the issues of our firefighters and the company, and the representatives of Boeing and the IAFF encourage the members of Local I-66 to vote yes. We look forward to working together productively.”

A fact sheet posted by Boeing outlines the contract improvements in the tentative agreement:

After IAFF Local I-66 members twice voted to reject a previous “final” offer from the company, Boeing forced its front-line safety workers — the unionized fire fighters — to leave their stations in a company lockout that began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 4. Local I-66 members voted again last week to reject a contract proposal that only minimally improved upon the previously rejected offer.

Since May 4, Boeing fire fighters, their IAFF siblings from other fire departments, and hundreds of their supporters from other unions have maintained picket lines outside Boeing facilities. On May 18, hundreds of delegates to the COPE Endorsement Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO joined the IAFF picket line in a dramatic show of solidarity.

Affiliates of the WSLC and our allies are flooding the @BoeingFFs picket line, standing with our locked-out siblings.

Boeing, end the lockout NOW! pic.twitter.com/vRSKajvmUr

— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) May 18, 2024

Local I-66 represents some 160 fire fighters, who staff Boeing fire stations in Auburn, Everett, Renton, Seattle and Moses Lake. They are a critical part of Boeing’s production system; specially trained Boeing Fire Fighters are on hand every time a Boeing-built aircraft is fueled or takes off on a test or delivery flight. The fire fighters are first responders to accidents or medical emergencies at Boeing facilities, responding to some 200 emergency calls on and off Boeing property each month. They do critical fire-prevention work that has saved Boeing billions of dollars in fire insurance premiums.