Portside

Roughly 33,000 Machinists union members are now in the fourth week of a historic strike at Boeing with no obvious end in sight. While technically an unfair labor practice strike, union members have made it clear what will resolve it: pay raises that catch them up for inflation, quicker wage progression, more paid time off, and above all restoring the pension that Boeing took away in 2016.  

“If we can get pensions back, that could be a game changer for labor across the entire country,” said striker Scott Lacey, a member of Local Lodge 63. “People would realize that you can get it back.”

On Sept. 23, Boeing announced a new contract offer, but did so in a press release and directly to members instead of to their union in bargaining. Then, thinking that they could dictate the union response, Boeing said members would have to vote on it by the end of the day Sept. 27. 

“The boss doesn’t decide if or when union members vote on contract offers; the workers do,” District Lodge 751 said in response.

Though the union rejected Boeing’s demand that members vote on a proposal their bargaining committee hadn’t discussed, it did survey members for their reaction. The latest offer was to raise pay 30% over four years, give a $6,000 ratification bonus, drop a proposal to eliminate year-end performance bonuses, and match 401(k) contributions 100% up to 8% of payroll. 

Union members said the proposal was inadequate, and disrespectful in the way it attempted to bypass the union. The union has been calling for pay increases totaling 40% over three years to make up for the last eight years, during which wages rose only 4%. Inflation totaled almost 31% during that time.

“We want to make up for that lost buying power,” explained Brandon Bryant, directing business representative of Machinists District Lodge W24.

The strikers are highly skilled machinists and certified to work on aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration. No production or assembly can happen without them. With the plants gone silent, it’s estimated Boeing is losing over $100 million a day in revenue.

To cut costs, the company has furloughed thousands of nonunion workers, slashed executive pay 25%, and even halted payments to over a dozen Washington DC lobbying firms. 

On Oct. 1, Boeing cut off strikers’ access to health benefits.

Since the strike began Sept. 13, the two sides have met twice for mediated talks, on Sept. 18 and 27. But no further negotiations were scheduled when this issue went to press Oct. 1.

The last time Machinists struck Boeing, in 2008, it lasted for 57 days.

“There’s no way they’re gonna wait us out,” Bryant said. “We’re gonna be here as long as it takes. We’ve got plenty of support for a long time.”

How to help 

Boeing machinists say they’re prepared for a long fight if it comes to that. The best way to show support is to walk the picket line with them. In the Portland area, that’s at 19000 NE Sandy Blvd. Because that’s an industrial area with no nearby parking, IBEW Local 125 has offered its nearby parking lot at 17200 NE Sacramento St. for strikers and supporters to use; the union is shuttling people from there to the picket line and back at least every half hour. Donations of food are also welcome, especially healthy options like hard-boiled eggs, sandwich bread, peanut butter and jelly, jerky, and fresh fruit. 

Picketer Don Runger at a Sept. 19 rally on the Boeing strike picket line | Photo by Anna Del Savio

Editor Don McIntosh has been with the Northwest Labor Press since 1998. Born in Baltimore, he moved to Portland in 1985, and first practiced journalism at the Daily Vanguard, Portland State University's student newspaper. After earning a bachelor's in history, he served as an underground union organizer (salt) with Teamsters Local 174 in Seattle. Back in Portland, he wrote for the Portland Business Journal and Willamette Week and was editor of the Portland Alliance, a monthly community newspaper.

The Northwest Labor Press is an independent union-supported newspaper. The print edition is mailed out twice a month to about 45,000 members of over three dozen unions in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The online edition has been maintained here at nwlaborpress.org since 1997.There are few other publications like it. Founded in 1900 by a consortium of trade unions, it’s one of America’s oldest and last remaining labor movement newspapers.