Strikes Continue as Union Rejects Boeing's 'Best and Final' Offer

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Facts

  • The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have rejected a deal of a 30% increase in pay over four years, described by Boeing as its 'best and final' offer to striking employees.[1]
  • In a statement to its members on social media, the union accused Boeing of 'disrespect[ing]' them by 'sending this offer directly to all members and the media' before any appropriate negotiations had taken place.[2]
  • Boeing's offer included a doubling of the one-time signing bonus to $6K, the reinstatement of a performance bonus, and improved retirement benefits. It added that the offer was contingent on union members ratifying the deal by midnight Pacific time Friday.[3]
  • However, the union claimed Boeing refused to put the deal to a vote, stating that the deadline 'does not give us enough time to present details to the membership or even secure all voting locations.'[2]
  • More than 32K Boeing workers in the Portland and Seattle region have been on strike since September 13 — the first industrial action at the company since 2008. The consequent production halt is estimated to be costing the firm between $1.5B–$3B a month.[4][5]
  • In a tumultuous year for the company, which has seen a mid-air blowout of a door panel and a guilty plea to a conspiracy fraud charge over two crashes in 2018 and 2019, Boeing has moved to furlough staff and implemented a hiring freeze to cut costs.[4][6]

Sources: [1]Forbes, [2]The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Facebook, [3]BBC News (a), [4]RTE.ie, [5]Flight Global and [6]BBC News (b).

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Flight Global. Boeing appreciates the great impact of its employees on both the company's success and failure. This is why it has offered staff this generous deal, and hopes it will be accepted so Boeing can go back to its innovative and industry-leading operations.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Facebook. This offer was not negotiated by the union, and Boeing circumvented the negotiating procedure in sending out its details to staff and the media in order to create internal divisions. This is unacceptable and, as such, the deal will not be considered.

Predictions