The Lynnwood Times is recognizing the International Association of Machinists (IAM) 751 & W24 as the union fighters of 2024 for winning their fight for higher wages and a revamped benefit package against the Boeing Company.
The IAM union represents approximately 33,000 Boeing employees. It voted to strike against Boeing on Friday, September 13, after months of unsuccessful negotiations.
On October 31, the union accepted Boeing’s third, and final, offer successfully ending the strike. The agreed upon terms of the deal include:
- 38% General Wage Increase (up from 35% in 10/19 offer). This is an effective 43.65% wage increase. Year 1: 13%, Year 2: 9%, Year 3: 9%, Year 4: 7%
- $12,000 ratification bonus (up from $7,000 in 10/19 offer)
- Boeing 401(k) match increased to 100% of first 8% of pay, plus automatic 4% company contribution (80% of our employees max out their 401(k) contributions).
All other terms stay the same as previous offers, including:
- Commitment to build Boeing’s next new airplane in the Puget Sound region.
- An annual bonus with a 4% guaranteed annual payout, up to 6%.
- Retirement benefits also include a new 401(k) annuity option for guaranteed monthly retirement disbursement; Boeing pays the transaction fee.
- For employees with a Boeing pension (hired before Jan. 2014), the offer increases pension multiplier from $95 per year of service to $105.
- For health care, 2025 paycheck contributions will be lower than 2024.
Honorable mention Union Fighters: Everett NewsGuild
In addition to IAM the Lynnwood Times is also recognizing the Everett NewsGuild as an honoree mention for union fighters of the year, for their strike against the Everett Herald after new management slashed half of its newsroom last summer while continuing to pay less than a livable wage and expecting unrealistic story quotas from its staff.
The demands of the Everett NewsGuild are for fair wages, no connection between wages and quotas, a renegotiated time-off and paid sick leave system, severance packages in the event of potential future layoffs, and protections from contracting work out to non-union members. There are currently seven Herald employees represented by the Everett NewsGuild.
So far there has been no resolution to this strike and no agreed upon offer between the union and the media outlet.
Honorable mention Union Fighters: Starbucks Baristas
Over the course of 2024, Starbucks Workers United baristas have powered a “winning streak” of organizing that has led baristas at over 100 stores to vote to join the union. They’re driving forward a nationwide movement of more than 11,000 baristas working together to win workplace protections on core issues like respect, living wages, racial and gender equity, and fair scheduling. Partners at more than 535 stores across 45 states and the District of Columbia have won their union to date.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
