Boeing union workers reject contract, 96% vote to strike
News Update: 96% Boeing workers have voted to go on strike, citing frustration over inadequate compensation, especially amidst rising costs of living and company mismanagement. 94.6% members voted to reject the newest contract proposal.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IMA) represents 33,000 workers at Boeing plants in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. A potential strike could weaken Boeing's production and have significant economic ripple effects.
The overwhelming vote has been attributed to built-up anger from Boeing plant workers over the years, including union frustration as they saw IMA leadership agree to unpopular deals while the company was experiencing great performance and profits. The union cited concern with Boeing building nonunion plants as the reasons for this decision making.
Despite both management and IMA leadership encouraging workers to accept the newest contract proposal, union members feel they are being asked to bear too much of the burden for the company's past mistakes and are asking for fair pay after years of demands with no changes.