After a widespread negative response to the tentative agreement struck between Boeing and Machinists union leaders, union president Jon Holden has stated that he anticipates rank-and-file members will reject the proposed contract and move forward with a strike later this week. Holden, the president of Machinists Union District 751, voiced his concerns during an exclusive interview with The Seattle Times at the union’s South Park headquarters on Monday.
Machinists Union Leader Express Discontent
Holden revealed that the reaction from union members has been overwhelmingly negative. “The response from people is it’s not good enough,” Holden said. “Right now, I think it will be voted down, and our members will vote to strike.” Although Holden endorsed the tentative agreement, which was reached early Sunday morning, he acknowledged that convincing union members to accept it might be an uphill battle.
Machinists union members are set to vote on the proposal and the decision to strike on Thursday. On Monday, hundreds of machinists expressed their dissatisfaction by marching through Boeing’s Everett widebody jet plant during their lunch break. The protestors then gathered outside the factory’s massive doors, shaking their fists and chanting “Strike! Strike! Strike!” This demonstration of frustration highlights the growing tension between Boeing and its workers, as many believe the proposed deal does not meet their expectations.
The upcoming vote will involve not only union members from the Puget Sound region but also members from District W24 in Portland and others scattered across Boeing locations, including Moses Lake in Washington and Edwards Air Force Base in California. If the union’s 33,000 members reject the contract, as Holden expects, a strike will begin at midnight on Friday.
Boeing Faces Financial Risks Amid Potential Strike
A strike would have significant implications for Boeing’s operations, effectively shutting down the company’s jet plants in the Puget Sound region and its parts plant in Portland. Work on airplanes being reworked or stored at Moses Lake would also come to a halt. With Boeing’s credit rating already hovering just above junk bond status, a prolonged strike could further strain the company’s financial situation by impacting cash flow and increasing debt.
Holden noted that while the union leadership will make efforts to explain the benefits of the offer to its members, he remains doubtful that this will sway the general sentiment. “I don’t believe that’s going to happen,” he admitted, indicating that the likelihood of avoiding a strike appears slim. Boeing, too, seems to be preparing for this outcome.
A Boeing employee shared a message with The Seattle Times, which had been sent by an engineering manager at the Auburn parts plant. The message indicated that Boeing was already making contingency plans and asked engineers to volunteer for tasks typically performed by Machinists. Targeting members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), the memo offered an incentive of overtime pay—either 1½ times or double the normal rate—to encourage white-collar employees to step in if a strike occurs.
With tensions escalating and the clock ticking toward a potential work stoppage, both Boeing and the Machinists union are bracing for what could be a critical showdown at the end of the week.
