IAM, Boeing negotiate strike resolution

Machinists will vote the negotiated proposal on October 23

SEATTLE, WA (October 21, 2024) — IAM 751 announced early Saturday morning that the union bargaining team had reached a negotiated proposal and resolution to end the strike.

In a statement posted to social media, the union shared that, “with the help of Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, we have received a negotiated proposal and resolution to end the strike, and it warrants presenting to the members and is worthy of your consideration.”

The new proposal includes a 35% wage increase over the course of the contract, a significant improvement over the 25% offered by Boeing in the agreement overwhelmingly voted down by the membership on September 12.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su and IAM District 751 President Jon Holden speak with Machinists on the strike line on October 14. Photo: IAM District 751 via Twitter

Other improvements are included in this current proposal as well, including bonus pay with a guaranteed minimum annual payout of 4%, a signing bonus of $7,000, and a reduction in the medical cost share for the workers.

Also included is an increase of the company 401(k) match to 100% of the first 8% contributed, alongside a 4% automatic company contribution. Additionally, the company is offering a one-time $5,000 contribution to each unit member’s Boeing 401(k). Pension reinstatement is not included in the proposal.

In comments to the Seattle Times, IAM 751 President Jon Holden recognized the pension as a key issue for many striking Machinists, but an issue the company is entirely refusing to move on. Per Holden, the bargaining team has declined to recommend this proposal because of the pension issue, although they do believe the proposal merits a vote of the membership.

The negotiated proposal features many changes to business as usual at Boeing, dismantling some of the company practices that keep wages low and hurt Machinists’ quality of life. One such improvement is new language that gives members one set of progression in their career, even if they upgrade to another IAM-represented job. Per the union, “this will allow all members who promote to higher grade IAM-represented jobs to combine Seniority Progression Increases earned in all labor grades, enabling them to reach maximum pay without being reset.”

This new language will also immediately move 1,500 members to max pay upon ratification, per the union.

The proposal also puts more power into the workers’ hands when it comes to overtime. Under the expired collective bargaining agreement, Boeing could require weeks of forced overtime (19 days straight, a two day break, and then another 19 days). This new proposal sets hard limits on forced overtime and increases access to voluntary overtime for those who want to take it.

And the proposal seeks to shore up job security, including a provision that if the company launches a new commercial airplane program during the life of the agreement, it will be placed in WA and OR. While it’s unlikely a new program will launch in the next four years, the union points out that once this language is in a contract, it’s hard to remove.

“If they don’t launch the plane in the next 4 years, or if they try to remove this guarantee during negotiations, then we will fight to maintain this language,” said the union on the IAM 751 website. “And we will have the power to strike, if necessary.”

Now, the choice is in the hands of the members, who will determine if this proposal meets their needs. Voting will be held on Wednesday, October 23, and a simple majority of votes will determine the outcome.