Connect with us

LOCAL

Support for striking Machinists surges

As Machinists continue their strike, community members are rallying around the workers

SEATTLE, WA (September 16, 2024) — Machinists walked off the job Friday to man their pickets, backed up by the community. As picket lines went up in the Puget Sound, Portland, Victorville, Edwards AFB, and Moses Lake, community members have shared their support online, driving by strike lines, and joining the workers to walk the picket.

Members of Machinists district 142 and King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda on the picket line. Photo: IAM 142 via Twitter

Machinists on the picket line at the Fredrickson facility in Puyallup wave at drivers honking their horns and shouting encouragement. Photo: WSLC

The Machinists are fighting for a fair contract that protects the working people who build Boeing’s planes — and the working people who fly on them. For decades, Boeing has used its economic power to stagnate wages, strip Machinists of their pensions, and raise their healthcare costs.

Boeing has tried to squeeze the workers in pursuit of ever-increasing profits, and squeezed the supply chain and safe production practices. These choices by leadership at Boeing have directly lead to both this strike and public safety concerns.

Machinists at Boeing are sounding the alarm, and the community is amplifying the call. Support comes in many ways; early Friday morning, workers in a nearby building played music and flashed lights, adding some energy to the line. Community members have brought pizza and supplies to the workers. There’s a steady stream of honks from passing cars at many of the picket locations, and over the weekend, supporters flocked to the lines, including elected officials like U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, who shared a message of support online:

On Tuesday, the Machinists Union will meet with federal mediators assigned through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and Boeing to begin discussions. As the union heads back to the table, support for the workers is all the more essential as they keep the pressure on Boeing.

TAKE A STAND — You can support striking Machinists by joining them on the picket line and signing the Machinists’ solidarity pledge. Pickets are manned 24/7, and support is especially helpful in the evenings, overnight and early AM. 

Picket HQs: 

 

Related Topics:

CHECK OUT THE UNION DIFFERENCE in Washington: higher wages, affordable health and dental care, job and retirement security.

FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN TOGETHER with your co-workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and a voice at work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!