Renton, Wash. – As the strike enters its sixth day, Boeing machinists remain strong, with mediation between the company and the union making no meaningful progress.
Despite two full days of talks through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), the union announced on Wednesday that no decision had been reached and no further dates for discussions had been scheduled.
The strike, which began last week after 33,000 machinists rejected Boeing’s contract offer, has put the aerospace company in a difficult position.
Boeing will lose more than $100 million each day the strike continues, and the company has responded by announcing temporary layoffs for executives, managers and other employees.
President and CEO Kelly Ortberg expressed the need for “tough action” to protect the company’s future, but union leaders are determined to address Boeing workers’ concerns:
“Team,
“As you know, last Friday IAM 751 and W24 went on strike. We are committed to restoring our relationship with our represented employees and continue to negotiate with the union to reach a new contract for all of our teammates and our company as soon as possible.
“However, with production suspended on several key projects in the Pacific Northwest, our business faces significant challenges, and it is important to take tough steps to protect cash and ensure a successful recovery for Boeing.
“As part of this initiative, we are initiating temporary layoffs in the coming days that will affect a large number of executives, managers and employees based in the United States. All benefits will continue for affected employees, and to limit the impact on you, we plan to take one week off every four weeks for the duration of the selected employee strike. Your leaders will be in touch today to share more details about your team’s specific approach.
“Along with these measures, my leadership team and I will undertake a commensurate wage reduction for the duration of the strike.
“Most importantly, we will not take any action that would impede our ability to fully recover in the future. All actions critical to our safety, quality, customer support and key certification programs will be prioritized and will continue, including 787 production.
“While this is a difficult decision that affects everyone, it is in an effort to protect our long-term future and help us navigate this difficult time. We will continue to communicate with transparency as this dynamic situation unfolds, and we will do everything we can to minimize this hardship.”
Restoring faith,
Kelly
According to a report by IAM Union District 751, the union’s priorities are still not being adequately addressed, based on a recent survey.
Workers are demanding a 40% pay rise, citing wage stagnation, lost pensions and sacrifices made in healthcare over the past decade.
Boeing’s initial offer of a 25% wage increase was rejected, with machinists standing behind their negotiating team and calling for the company to do more to meet their demands.
Boeing’s first strike since 2008 has drawn attention to worker solidarity.
Union leaders say workers are the real lifeblood of Boeing, not just the company, and they insist they will continue to push for a fair deal. “
One Day Longer, One Day Stronger” became a rallying cry, with picketers making their presence known from Everett to Auburn.
While the union remains open to further negotiations, tensions have risen due to the lack of progress as the strike continues.
Workers’ commitment to the strike sends a clear message: they won’t back down until they get a fair deal.
For now, the two sides are at an impasse that has halted production at Boeing and thousands of workers they believe are the deal they deserve.
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