It took more than seven weeks of strike to reach an agreement and put an end to a gigantic conflict in terms of duration and cost. The 33,000 workers at Boeing’s two historic factories around Seattle, Washington, voted on Monday, November 4, in favor of the agreement proposed by their organization, IAM District 751, the local branch of the Machinists Union (IAM). ).
The strikers obtained a 38% increase in their remuneration spread over four years. An increase very close to the 40% that they have been demanding since the beginning of the conflict; a demand demanded without hesitation to offset the effects of inflation and inspired by the increases obtained by pilots of several large American companies such as Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines.
On the other hand, the strikers failed to get the management of the American aircraft manufacturer to bow down to obtain the restoration of its internal retirement system, abandoned for about ten years. It has been replaced, since 2014, by a funded pension system that is much less favorable for pensioners and, above all, much more expensive for contributors. To get the green light from 33,000 employees, management also had to accept an annual bonus of $12,000 (11,000 euros) and commit to building its next plane at the two factories in Everett and Renton, outside Seattle.
“Rediscover excellence”
The conflict was very hard for employees who only received $250 a week, some even depending on food banks to survive. “The strike will end and now it’s our turn to get back to work and start building the planes, raise the prices and get this company back on the path to financial success.”However, Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751, was congratulated. However, the vote of the 33,000 employees sounds like a disavowal for the union that had already validated two previous versions of the agreement massively rejected by the strikers.
Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg, appointed in August, said that ” happy “ put an end to social conflict. An end to the crisis that, however, does not mean the end of all the problems that the aircraft manufacturer has been facing for several years. “There is still a lot of work to do to recover the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company”added the new head of the group.
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