Boeing Workers End Strike After 58% Vote for Pay Increase
A seven-week strike by Boeing workers has come to a close after 58% of union members voted to approve a new pay agreement, which will result in a substantial wage increase of 38% over the next four years. On November 4, 2024, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Districts 751 and W24 announced that the ratified contract will provide a compounded wage increase of 43.65% for Boeing employees.
IAM leaders hailed the deal as setting a “new standard for compensation and wages for aerospace industry workers.” The agreement includes not only the 38% pay raise but also a $12,000 ratification bonus and an additional $5,000 that can be allocated to workers’ paychecks or their 401K retirement funds.
“Through this victory and the strike that made it possible, IAM members have taken a stand for respect and fair wages in the workplace,” stated Jon Holden, President of IAM District 751, alongside Brandon Bryant, President of IAM District W24. They emphasized their commitment to helping Boeing return to its standard of producing high-quality and safe airplanes, reiterating their motto, “There is no Boeing without the IAM.”
Approximately 33,000 frontline workers from Boeing in Washington state, Oregon, and California participated in the vote. The strike reportedly cost Boeing around $100 million per day in lost production and delivery delays, further complicating the company’s recovery efforts from earlier setbacks.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg acknowledged the challenges faced over recent months, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration moving forward to restore the company’s excellence.
The IAM recognized the efforts of Secretary of Labor Julie Su in facilitating a resolution to the dispute and informed Boeing employees they could return to work between November 6 and 12, 2024.
The strike began on September 13, 2024, and led to further delays in the delivery of Boeing 737, 787, and 777 aircraft. This disruption followed a significant incident in January 2024, where a door plug detached from an Alaska Airlines 737-9 shortly after takeoff, raising concerns about Boeing’s safety and quality protocols. The aftermath saw several whistleblowers testify about questionable practices at Boeing’s facilities, resulting in slowed production and frustration among airlines due to undelivered planes. On October 11, 2024, Ortberg announced that the delivery date for the first 777X aircraft would be pushed to 2026, along with significant production setbacks for MAX jets.
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