EVERETT — Thousands of layoffs will continue as planned at Boeing, no matter how union Machinists vote on the latest contract proposal aimed at ending a strike now in its eighth week.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, including 17,000 members from the Boeing plant in Everett, will vote Monday on the offer union leadership announced Thursday.
A simple majority of yes votes would end the strike, and send Machinists back to work. A no vote would extend the strike that has cost the company billions of dollars and led to Boeing launching a $21 billion stock share sale to avoid a credit downgrade.
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Boeing Machinists to vote on new contract proposalOct 31, 2024
On Oct. 11, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announcd the company would cut its global workforce by 10% “over the coming months.”
In a statement Friday, the company affirmed its plans to send layoff notices to employees this month.
“As we’ve previously shared with our team, most affected U.S. employees will be notified mid-November and leave the company on Jan. 17,” the statement read. “We are supporting these teammates with additional resources such as severance pay and career transition services.”
The expected layoffs, equaling about 17,000 jobs from its overall workforce of 170,000 employees, will include executives, managers and employees, Ortberg said in October. No decisions have been made on job reductions for each Boeing location.
The latest contract proposal includes a 38% general wage increase over the next four years for its 33,000 members. This will be the third offer for union workers to vote on since negotiations began last spring. Members voted overwhelmingly against the first offer, leading to the strike that began Sept. 13.
Last week, 64% of Machinists rejected a contract offer that called for a 35% increase.
In a statement Friday, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin commended the work done of IAM District 751 President Jon Holden and the union’s bargaining committee.
“Jon and his team are strong advocates for their membership, our community and Boeing’s future,” Franklin said. “I truly believe impactful contract gains have been achieved and I’m hopeful our machinists will feel this agreement better reflects the importance and value of their work.”
Michael Henneke: 425-339-3431; michael.henneke@heraldnet.com; X: @ihenpecked.
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