WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thirty members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, led by Washington state’s very own United States Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), is calling on Boeing and IAM 751 and W24 negotiating teams to “return to the bargaining table” following the aerospace company’s rescinding its “best and final” September 23 offer on October 8.
“IAM District 751and W24 workers have been on strike since September 13, 2024, and Boeing’s latest offer, coupled with the workers’ lapse in health benefits, underscores the urgent need for a fair and equitable resolution. It is our belief that coming to a timely agreement will benefit both parties involved,” the letter signed by Representative Jaypal and 29 other members of Progressive Caucus and dated October 8, reads.
Members of the progressive caucus hinted at an inequity for Boeing to not meet the demands by IAM leadership—a 40 percent general wage increase and restoration of the company’s pension plan—but had monies to compensate its outgoing CEO, Dave Calhoun, “more than $32 million.”
Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun along with BCA president and board chair announce resignations on Monday, March 25, after a plethora of safety and quality incidents arising after the near-fatal Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 in-flight mid-cabin door blowout in January.
Shareholders on May 17, 2024, approved a $33 million pay package—primarily in stock—to Calhoun who declined to accept an additional $2.8 million incentive bonus because of the Alaska Airlines incident. According to CNN, it was the highest package ever paid to a Boeing CEO. Calhoun’s successor, Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, assumed the duties of CEO effective August 8, 2024.
Rep. Jayapal chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus with Deputy Chair Ilhan Omar (D-MN05). The Congressional Progressive Caucus is composed 103 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. According to its website, caucus members are committed to standing up “for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country.”
Jayapal joined IAM 751 Machinists on the picket lines on October 3 to support their strike for increased wages, benefits, and pensions.
“This strike of 33,000 machinist workers is a remarkable showing of the power unionized workers hold when they organize,” Jayapal wrote in a statement. “I hope to see Boeing and the machinists come back to the table to work in good faith to address the issues of fair wages and pensions.”
Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined striking Boeing IAM 751 workers on the picket lines outside of Boeing’s Everett factory on Friday, September 27, to hear their concerns and to show support to union members’ efforts to negotiate a fair contract with Boeing.
“After talking with the workers [on the picket line], there’s this long simmering tensions that seem to go back beyond the last couple of years, back maybe 10 to 12 to 15 years,” Lasen told reporters in a presser. “The company needs to recognize that.”
As of October 10, the strike is entering its 28th day. IAM Union leadership blasted Boeing in September for emailing its “best and final” offer “directly to all members and the media without any prior communication” to the union’s negotiating team.
“This tactic is a blatant show of disrespect to you – our members – and the bargaining process,” wrote the Union Negotiating Committee in a statement on X.
On October 8, Boeing announced it had withdrawn its “best and final” offer proposed to IAM 751 & W24 union members on September 23, now leaving 33,000 striking workers and an industry anxiously awaiting next steps.
A Boeing spokesperson declined to elaborate on what those next steps will be when asked by the Lynnwood Times.
According to the “best and final” offer proposed on September 23, the average annual machinist pay at the end of the proposed 4-year contract would increase from $75,608 a year to $111,155. In its final offer to IAM 751 & W24 members:
- Boeing committed to building its next new airplane, in the Puget Sound region.
- A general wage increase of 30% over four years.
- A ratification bonus of $6,000.
- A reinstatement of the Aerospace Machinists Performance Program (AMPP) bonus.
- A one-to-one match on the first 8% an employee contributes to Boeing’s 401(k) plan
- A lower cost share for health care
- A new employee annual floating holiday
“The [Boeing] company was hell-bent on standing on the non-negotiated offer that was sent directly to the media on September 23, 2024,” IAM 751 union released in a statement on X shortly after Pope’s proposed contract withdraw announcement. “They refused to propose any wage increases, vacation/sick leave accrual, progression, ratification bonus, or the 401k Match/SCRC Contribution. They also would not reinstate the defined benefit pension.”
Author: Mario Lotmore
