33,000 Boeing Union Workers Go On Strike, First Major Walkout Since 2008

 Credit: Melvin Loi

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Members of the International Association of Machinists And Aerospace Workers, which represents 33,000 Boeing employees at factories near Seattle and elsewhere, overwhelmingly rejected a 'historic contract offer' with the troubled planemaker and voted to go on strike. 

Unionized Boeing workers have approved a strike. IAM 751 says 33,000+ workers in Washington will stop work at midnight: KUOW

They can use the downtime to learn how to make airplanes that fly

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) September 13, 2024

IAM said 94.6% of union members rejected the contract offer from Boeing, which called the offer "historic" and highlighted the 25% wage increase over four years as "the largest-ever general wage increase." About 96% of union members approved the strike, now unfolding at the planemaker's Seattle factories that make the 737 Max. 

BREAKING: @Boeing machinists vote to STRIKE, effective immediately. This means 32,000 @IAM751 and W24 members are on the picket lines starting TONIGHT. Vote to strike was 96% for it pic.twitter.com/gBUKmkRYOn

— Ryan Simms (@RyanTVnews) September 13, 2024

The union released this statement:

"We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the negotiating teams from District 751 and W24 and the unwavering solidarity of our membership. Their tireless efforts have been on display throughout this entire process. Now, they will regroup and begin planning the next steps on securing an agreement that our membership can approve.

"We will make every resource available for our District 751 and W24 members during this challenging time. IAM members from across North America stand in solidarity with our members in the Pacific Northwest and California. Our goal is to get a strong contract that meets the needs of our members."