Striking Boeing workers voted to end the 53-day strike, accepting the plane manufacturer’s latest offer of a 38 percent pay increase over four years, a 401(k) contribution increase and a one-time payment of $12,000 to ratify the contract.
The 33,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) voted in favor of ratifying the new union contract, with 59 percent of respondents supporting it and 41 percent opposing it.
“This agreement represents a new standard in the aviation industry – one that sends a clear statement that aviation jobs must be middle-class jobs in which workers can thrive. Workers in the aviation industry, led by the IAM – the world’s most powerful aviation union – will not settle for anything less of the respect, wages and family-supporting benefits they need and deserve. “This agreement reflects the positive results of workers’ commitment to each other, participating in workplace democracy, and showing solidarity with each other and the community during a necessary and effective strike,” Bryan declared. Bryant, IAM International President.
“Almost every worker in America knows what it’s like for a company to take too much and give too little. A contract like this sends an inspiring message to all workers in the United States who seek to unionize or who have been shortchanged by their employer. We remain grateful Very much to Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, who on behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration helped bring employers and members together for productive conversations to reach this agreement.
The final agreement stipulates a wage increase close to the original level of 40 percent sought by the union. Boeing’s original 25% offer sparked a mass strike on September 13, paralyzing production at the plane maker and costing the company an estimated US$1 billion per month.
“Although the last few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team. We will only move forward by listening and working together. We still have a lot of work to do,” Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said after the vote. “Working to return to the excellence that made Boeing such a special company.”
“This is an important time in our history, and like the generations before us, we will face this moment together, stronger as one.”
In response to the resolution of the strike, which led to disappointing labor numbers in the final days before voters go to the polls in the 2024 presidential election, President Joe Biden congratulated the union and Boeing for “reaching an agreement that reflects hard work.” And the sacrifices of 33,000 mechanical workers.
“Over the past four years, we have demonstrated successes in collective bargaining. Good contracts benefit workers, businesses and consumers and are essential to growing the American economy from the middle out and from the bottom up.
