Key events in the Boeing Co.’s union history

1935: Thirty-five Boeing production workers form the local Machinists union.

1936: Boeing signs its first labor contract with the Machinists.

1943: In Seattle, 20,000 Machinists protest a wage freeze enacted by the War Labor Board.

1945: Boeing lays off as many as 70,000 workers as the war ends.

1946: SPEEA organizes at Boeing.

1948: The Machinists union stages its first strike over issues of seniority and organizing. The 140-day strike remains the longest in Machinists’ history.

1949: The Machinists union wins the right to represent Boeing workers over the Teamsters union.

1955: Boeing agrees to a pension plan for IAM.

1965: Machinists strike for 19 days over seniority issues and medical coverage.

1967: The Machinists union finances a public-housing project in Kent.

1968: The first 747-100 rolls out of the Everett factory.

1977: Machinists stage a 44-day work stoppage over pension and benefits for retired members.

1978: Boeing begins work on both the 757 and 767 in Washington state.

1989: Concerned about overtime issues, Machinists strike for 48 days.

1993: SPEEA members go on strike for one day.

1994: The first 777 rolls out of the Everett factory.

1995: Machinists strike for 69 days over pension and job security.

1997: The Boeing Co. merges with McDonnell Douglas.

2000: SPEEA’s engineers and technical workers go on strike for 40 days.

2001: Boeing moves its corporate headquarters from Seattle to Chicago. The aviation industry suffers a dramatic downturn, following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

2003: Boeing announces its new 787 Dreamliner jet will be assembled in Everett.

2004: The Machinists union begins to organize Boeing subcontractors in Washington.

2005: Machinists go on strike for 28 days.

2007: Boeing breaks a record with 1,413 commercial jet orders for the year. The first major 787 delay is announced.

2008: Machinists strike for 57 days over job security, health care and retired member benefits.

2009: Boeing selects South Carolina as the site of its second 787 assembly line and flies the Dreamliner for the first time on Dec. 15.

2010: Boeing delays first delivery of its 787 to early 2011 and announces a plan to add jobs in its composites fabrication and assembly facility in south Seattle.

Sources: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, the Boeing Co.; Herald archives

Talk to us

More in Herald Business Journal

Jonnathan Yepez Carino speaks with Auliilani De La Cruz’s class about financial literacy during a presentation at Mariner High on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Extra credit for financial literacy: Bankers teach kids the basics

From building credit to applying for a loan — these execs offer money management advice for students and adults.

The 214-foot tall cranes work to unload their first cargo shipments at South Terminal at the Port of Everett on Thursday, April 8, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Business Briefly: Port of Everett named Job Creator of the Year

Zap Energy receives $5 million for fusion energy plant and Kenmore Air offering flight from Everett to Victoria.

Rachel Daniels makes a salami rose during a Charcuterie 101 Workshop at Machias Meadows in Snohomish, Washington on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Snack queens share secrets to piecing together party platters that wow

Caterers Rachel Daniels and Mallori Rojas specialize in curating charcuterie boards. Here’s how they make their magic.

Michelle LeFevre and her Bernese mountain dog Kona sit in the shade in front of Kona’s Pond outside their home Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Camano, Washington. LeFevre, a retired teacher, wrote the children’s book “On Kona’s Pond” which centers on her pup and the other creatures that call the pond home. LeFevre’s sister, Susan Cousineau McGough, illustrated the book with watercolor renditions of Kona and the pond. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Life ain’t so ruff ‘On Kona’s Pond’

A retired Camano Island teacher’s new children’s book, “On Kona’s Pond,” tells the story of her dog and his wild friends.

FILE - A Boeing 737 Max jet prepares to land at Boeing Field following a test flight in Seattle, Sept. 30, 2020. Boeing said Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, that it took more than 200 net orders for passenger airplanes in December and finished 2022 with its best year since 2018, which was before two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max jet and a pandemic that choked off demand for new planes. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Boeing inks deal for up to 300 737 Max planes with Ryanair

At Boeing’s list prices, the deal would be worth more than $40 billion if Ryanair exercises all the options.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Four recognized for building a better community

Economic Alliance of Snohomish County hosts annual awards

Dr. David Kirtley at the new Helion headquarters in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022  (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett nuclear fusion energy company nets first customer: Microsoft

The Everett company, on a quest to produce carbon-free electricity, agreed to provide power to the software giant by 2028.

Hunter Mattson, center, is guided by Blake Horton, right, on a virtual welding simulation during a trade fair at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. High school kids learned about various trades at the event. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Trade fair gives Snohomish County kids glimpse of college alternatives

Showcasing the trades, the Trade Up event in Monroe drew hundreds of high school students from east Snohomish County.

A Tesla Model Y Long Range is displayed on Feb. 24, 2021, at the Tesla Gallery in Troy, Mich.  Opinion polls show that most Americans would consider an EV if it cost less, if more charging stations existed and if a wider variety of models were available. The models are coming, but they may roll out ahead of consumer tastes. And that could spell problems for the U.S. auto industry, which is sinking billions into the new technology with dozens of new vehicles on the way.  (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Tesla leases space at Marysville business park

Elon Musk’s electric car company reportedly leased a massive new building at the Cascade Business Park.

Henry M. Jackson award winner Tom Lane. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tom Lane: An advocate for small and local businesses

The CEO of Dwayne Lane’s Auto Family is a recipient of this year’s Henry M. Jackson Award.

John M. Fluke Sr. award winner Dom Amor. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dom Amor: Working behind the scenes to improve the region

Dom Amor is the recipient of this year’s John M. Fluke Sr. Award

Opportunity Lives Here award winner Workforce Snohomish and director, Joy Emory. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Workforce Snohomish receives Opportunity Lives Here Award

Workforce offers a suite of free services to job seekers and businesses in Snohomish County.