MOSES LAKE, Wash. – Boeing machinists continue their strike, now lasting more than six weeks, with no resolution in sight. The strike involves more than 33,000 machinists across the country, including 800 in Moses Lake, who walked off the job in September.
Last week, machinists rejected Boeing’s latest contract offer by a significant margin.
For some workers, this isn’t their first experience on the picket line. Matt O’Brien expressed his tough past experiences during strikes, saying, “I thought I was going to lose my house.” John Andrews, another seasoned Boeing worker, highlighted a collective fight for better benefits. “Us older people here. Now, we want to fight for the younger people and get our pension back.”
The lack of agreement over compensation and benefits is a crucial issue. “We don’t have a pension, and we don’t have good insurance anymore like we used to,” said an anonymous machinist, expressing concerns over the diminishing worker benefits.
Boeing has firmly rejected the possibility of reinstating its defined pension plan, maintaining a hard line on financial decisions. “Boeing has said repeatedly, it will not reinstate its defined pension,” further deepening the rift between the company and its employees.
The strike’s impact on Boeing is evident. Southwest Airlines, originally planning to receive 85 737s from Boeing this year, has adjusted its expectations to just 20 due to production delays. American Airlines is facing similar issues, not expecting any more 737s this year and instead relying on deliveries of the 787s produced in South Carolina.
The importance of the machinists to Boeing’s operations is undeniable. “How else are they going to build an airplane? How are they going to get the airplane out? They can’t do it without us,” questioned workers on the picket line, underscoring their vital role in manufacturing.
Financial analyses by Bank of America estimate the strike costs Boeing about $50 million a day, emphasizing the economic stakes involved.
The ongoing strike highlights critical issues within the aerospace industry and raises questions about labor relations, employee benefits, and the future of Boeing’s operations.
