Boeing machinists to vote on offer on Wednesday, members claim ‘not a done deal’

RENTON, Wash. — The Boeing machinists union will vote Wednesday on a “negotiated proposal” to end a weeks-long strike, but skepticism remains.

On Monday, both on the picket line and behind closed doors, certain members of the union said they’d vote no on the latest offer to the 33,000 machinists.

“My sense is this is not a done deal,” said a member who identified himself as Paul while he was standing outside the Renton gate. “It’s our only chance to stand up for what we believe in, and generally, membership wants a defined benefit pension.”

He was planning on voting no. “The weather isn’t an impact on me. The daylight doesn’t have an impact on me. It’s a matter of principle, of just getting the benefits that the company’s capable of providing for us, however long that takes.”

The offer, according to IAM, includes a 35% pay increase over four years, among other line items. However, Steve Hodson, who says he’s worked at the company since 1979, says he’s focused on the lack of a pension.

“I’m going to vote no because I’m fully into getting my pension restored. I’m not going to cave in for this offer,” said Hodson. “General wage increase is okay. We’re just trying to catch up for the last 10 years where we only got 1% every other year. Inflation has just skyrocketed.”

He also brushed aside a suggestion from Boeing’s CEO that the company needs to cut 10% of the staff.

“Maybe it’s a scare tactic to scare the union members. Hey, we’re giving you this offer. You should take it,” he said. ABC News Aviation Analyst and longtime Boeing observer John Nance says that no matter the vote, production has been impacted.

“Boeing will recover from this, but they’re going to be damaged,” he told KOMO News. “It throws a monkey wrench into the entire works of producing airplanes when you have a strike like this and people out for such a period.”

ALSO SEE: Boeing strike could end as IAM reviews new contract with increased wages, benefits

Nance also believes the work stoppage was years in the making, and can be connected to the company’s move of the headquarters to Chicago.

“I just hope we don’t see the necessity for this anytime shortly. Boeing did not have to move that headquarters to Chicago. It did not have to do what they’ve done in terms of changing their focal points, and they have made some of this necessary, I think, from the point of view of many of the many of the engineers,” he said. “The movement to Chicago, in my view, was purely punishment to the unions.”

According to the IAM, employees will be able to vote at one of eight locations on Wednesday with a final tally announced after 5 p.m. Voting Information for Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Voting will be open at each location from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise specified. Anyone in line by 5:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote. You will need a Photo ID – either a driver’s license or your Boeing badge – to vote.

After the voting ends, the count will occur at each union hall or voting location. All vote totals will be called into the Seattle Union Hall for final tabulation. Once verified, the results will be announced at the Seattle Union Hall, on our website, and in the media.

There will be one ballot to either ACCEPT or REJECT the bargaining agreement. No strike vote is needed since we are already on strike. A simple majority (50% + 1) of those voting will determine the outcome.

ALSO SEE | Boeing’s run of losses and delays takes another downturn with strike, layoffs

There is no remote voting for any member.

If the vote passes, the return to work dates will be as follows: You CAN return to work as early as the first shift on Friday, October 25, 2024, for those members who want to return as quickly as possible. You MUST return to work by the beginning of your shift on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Voting Locations

Auburn Hall

201 “A” St. SW

Auburn, WA 98001

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Renton Hall

233 Burnett Ave N.

Renton, WA 98057

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Seattle Hall

Seattle Union Hall

9135 15th Pl S

Seattle, WA 98108

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Everett Location

Angel of the Winds Arena

2000 Hewitt Ave., Suite 200

Everett, WA 98201

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fredrickson Location Change to Puyallup Fairgrounds

110 9th Ave SW

Puyallup, WA 98371

Enter at the Gold Gate, head to the Expo Hall

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Moses Lake – Voting times/locations for our Moses Lake members will be released tomorrow, 10/22/24.

Victorville

Holiday Inn

15494 Palmdale Road

Victorville, CA 92392

Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Edwards AFB

Picket Line Position

Edwards West Gate entrance via Rosamond Blvd.

Edwards AFB, CA 93560

Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.