16 September, 2024On 12 September, 33,000 workers at Boeing. Co, American aerospace giant, downed tools, demanding better wages, pensions, and healthcare. The workers, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), an IndustriALL affiliate, rejected a contract offering a 25 percent pay raise over a period of four years.
An overwhelming 94 percent voted to reject the offer, with 96 percent voting in favour of striking. Workers are frustrated over years of stagnant wages and concessions made on pensions and healthcare to keep jobs being outsourced.
In a statement, IAM vowed to:
“Continue fighting for a contract that meets workers’ needs, with strong solidarity across North America backing the strike. Workers are saying, our future our fight.”
IndustriALL aerospace director Georg Leutert said:
“We stand in solidarity with the workers at Boeing.Co, it is their right to strike and demand better lives for themselves and their families. We stand behind them during this challenging time and hope that an acceptable and beneficial agreement can be reached.”
Photo: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) website.