International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
10/19/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/19/2024 11:27
Striking IAM Union Members to Vote on New Contract Proposal from Boeing
SEATTLE - Striking workers at Boeing have been gaining momentum and support from key allies in recent days, and now have received a new contract proposal from the company. More than 33,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) at Boeing locations in Washington state, Oregon, and California have been on strike since Sept. 13.
Details of the negotiated resolution can be found here: www.iam751.org/2024StrikeProposal.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, IAM District 751 and W24 members received details of a new proposal from Boeing, which included the following terms:
- Wages: A 35% general wage increase spread over 4 years (12%in Year 1, 8%in Year 2, 8%in Year 3, and 7%in Year 4).
- Incentive Pay: The Aerospace Machinists Performance Plan or AMPP incentive plan is reinstated, with a guaranteed minimum annual payout of 4%. Including 2024 payout in February, 2025.
- Retirement: Company 401(k) match increased to 100% of the first 8%contributed, in addition to a Special Company Retirement Contribution of 4% guaranteed company contribution. Additionally, there is a one-time $5,000 contributionto each unit member's Boeing 401(k).
- Pension: The Boeing Company Employee Retirement Plan (BCERP) multiplier benefit increases to $105for vested employees.
- Ratification Bonus: A one-time bonus of $7,000.
- Sick Time Call-Out: Reverts to the existing contract language' call in before shift language removed from contract.
IAM members will vote on whether to accept the proposal on Wednesday, Oct. 23, in locations to be announced later. Details of the potential strike settlement - including the date on which workers would return to work if the vote passes - will be part of the vote.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the union was joined by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, and other leaders at their Seattle union hall for an energetic rally, during which the resolve and strength of the members was underscored from the stage and the crowd.
Meanwhile, Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su met with union and company officials this week, helping to spur further discussions.
Following many years of making financial sacrifices to keep the company afloat, IAM members have sought to regain some of the lost ground of the last 10 years, and to improve job security protections, overtime rules, and decrease their share of health insurance costs, among other priorities.
IAM District 751 President Jon Holden and IAM District W24 President Brandon Bryant released the following joint statement, reiterating some of the key goals of the strike and pointing to its role in moving the company to improve upon its prior proposals:
"The fact the company has put forward an improved proposal is a testament to the resolve and dedication of the frontline workers who've been on strike - and to the strong support they have received from so many. This proposal will be carefully reviewed and voted upon by the frontline workers of Boeing whose dedication to their communities and families have made this company successful in the past. The workers will ultimately decide if this specific proposal is sufficient in meeting their very legitimate needs and goal of achieving respect and fairness at Boeing. Like many workers in America, IAM members at Boeing have sacrificed greatly for their employer, including during the pandemic when these workers were reporting to the factory as executives stayed at home. These workers deserve to have all of those sacrifices recognized."
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America's largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.