Seattle, WA
Boeing faces potential strike as Seattle workers vote
Boeing faces a potentially crippling strike in the Seattle region, depending on how 33,000 workers vote Thursday on a new contract that has angered many employees despite solid wage gains.
Led by new CEO Kelly Ortberg, the embattled aviation giant had hoped a 25 percent wage hike over four years and a commitment to invest in the Puget Sound region would avert a strike at a time when Boeing remains financially weak after myriad crises.
But while the preliminary contract won an endorsement from leaders of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751, the response from much of the rank-and-file has been harsh.
Broadcast reports in the Seattle region have featured footage of line workers who hold daily rallies on the factory floor and call the wage hikes inadequate in light of inflation.
A Sunday posting on the IAM’s Facebook page announcing the deal was removed after drawing hundreds of comments, with many condemning the deal or calling for a strike.
A strike would shutter Boeing production assembly plants for the 737 MAX and 777, further delaying the company’s turnaround efforts.
Among the major points of contention, the wage hike falls short of the 40 percent IAM had sought, and the new deal fails to reinstate pensions.
IAM President Jon Holden told members what happens next is up to union members.
“We have achieved everything we could in bargaining, short of a strike,” Holden said in a message to workers.
“We recommended acceptance because we can’t guarantee we can achieve more in a strike,” Holden said. “But that is your decision to make and is a decision that we will protect and support, no matter what.”
Stephanie Pope, president of Boeing’s commercial plane division, said the contract delivers the largest-ever wage hike despite the company’s $60 billion in debt. The pledge to the Puget Sound region is an “unprecedented commitment” to the area.
In a statement Wednesday evening Ortberg warned against a strike, saying it would “put our shared recovery in jeopardy, further eroding trust with our customers and hurting our ability to determine our future together.”
The new contract is a “hard sell,” said aviation website Leeham News. “The deal makes progress in the areas IAM members identified as priorities, but falls short of the union’s stated goals in most of them.”
Leeham predicted the contract would fail to win a majority vote, but said it was unclear whether critics of the deal would win a two-thirds majority on a second question of whether to strike.
If the contract fails to win a majority but a strike vote also falls short, the contract offer is accepted by default, according to IAM rules.
In an interview with the Seattle Times published Monday, Holden said, “Right now, I think it will be voted down, and our members will vote to strike.”
Advantage: labor?
Boeing has been under renewed scrutiny since a January incident in which a fuselage panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX plane mid-flight, necessitating an emergency landing.
That revived questions about safety and quality control after the company had seemingly made progress following deadly MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.
The aerospace giant in March announced a management shakeup that included the exit of Dave Calhoun as CEO. It has also slowed production on the MAX as it beefs up quality control.
Ortberg, who took the helm on August 8, has pledged a “reset” on labor relations as part of a turnaround.
The IAM talks come on the heels of a more assertive labor movement as embodied by strikes at Detroit’s “Big Three” and John Deere, and a near-strike at UPS that was resolved with a last-minute deal with the Teamsters.
“The power balance has shifted in favor of workers,” said Cornell University labor relations expert Harry Katz, who noted that Boeing’s position has been weakened by “turmoil and management problems.”
Andrew Hedden, associate director of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies at the University of Washington, said strikes have become common at Boeing since 1970s.
Hedden said the company’s pledge for new investment, while encouraging, did not completely settle concerns about Boeing’s long-term footprint in Seattle because the contract is only four years long.
“There’s still work to do for the union and for the people in Washington state to make sure the company holds to that,” Hedden said.
© 2024 AFP
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SEATTLE — The Seattle Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) shared photos of an annual tradition that brings joy to families.
The NICU team celebrated each baby’s first Valentine’s Day with special costumes. The precious babies were dressed as a Sweethearts candy box, including a heart-shaped center and a “Love Ya” message.
Some parents posed with their children or helped nurses prepare babies for their photos.
Santiago with parents.{ } (Courtesy Seattle Children’s)
NICU nurse Karman Hayenga created this year’s design.
The youngest sweetheart featured this year is Santiago, who was born on Super Bowl Sunday.
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The tradition brings fun to what can be a stressful time for families.
SEATTLE – With the celebration over, clean-up continued late Wednesday following the big Seahawks Super Bowl parade.
Clean City crews were in Phase 3 of cleanup plans by around 6 p.m., and some were scheduled to be on the clock until about midnight, targeting final areas that need attention following the parade.
“Right now, crews are kind of mimicking the foot traffic they saw and now that they’re done their cleaning on the actual parade route they will fan out,” said John Steies, Interim Director of the Clean City Division for Seattle Public Utilities.
He said late night crews were planning to target areas of the downtown core, Pioneer Square and Capitol Hill before they end their shifts at midnight.
While SDOT leads the parade cleaning efforts in the streets, the Downtown Seattle Association and the SPU Clean City team make sure the sidewalks and other areas are picked up and waste cans emptied.
“It’s kind of a surge effort to make sure we are getting this cleaning done today, and it’s contained,” Steies said.
Most of the trash pickup included bottles and food wrappers, but some crews did find some unusual items, including whole couches, dragged outside onto the sidewalk for people to sit on while watching the parade, then abandoned.
“They did pick up a couple of couches on the parade route that folks must have just wanted to sit on during the event and were happy to get rid of afterward,” Steies said.
As far as any arrests, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said that there were no major incidents and no arrests.
“We had roughly a million people flood the streets of downtown Seattle to celebrate our Seahawks and one thing that I’m super excited about and happy to hear is that the police reported no major incidents. It was a peaceful and joyful celebration,” said Leesa Manion, King County Prosecuting Attorney.
John says the city did find litter cans disturbed at 4th and Bell, but their crews had no major incidents either.
With Super Bowl 60 in the books, SPU says they’ll be prepping for the next big event.
“This coming summer, SPU is leading the interdepartmental team to clean for the World Cup,” Steies said.
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The Source: Information in this story came from the Clean City Division for Seattle Public Utilities and the King County Prosecuting Attorney.
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Seattle Seahawks fans will undoubtedly come out in droves for Wednesday’s Super Bowl celebration, but for students partying, it will hurt their attendance records.
Seattle Public Schools announced earlier this week that schools will not only stay open, but going to the parade will not count as an excused absence.
“Seattle is buzzing with excitement as we celebrate the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory! Moments like this bring our city together, spark pride across generations, and remind us of the power of shared experiences in our community,” Seattle Public Schools Chief Operations Officer Fred Podesta said in a letter. “As the city plans celebrations, including a victory parade planned for Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m., we want families to know that Seattle Public Schools will remain open with the normal early-release Wednesday schedule.
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Elijah Arroyo of the Seattle Seahawks lifts the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the New England Patriots, at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“Keeping schools open is an important part of maintaining stability, safety, and continuity for our students. For many families, schools provide not only learning, but also meals, transportation, specialized services, and trusted routines. Remaining open allows us to support students’ academic progress while ensuring essential services continue for those who rely on them …
“We encourage families to celebrate this historic moment in ways that work best for your household, while also helping us keep learning strong across the district. Thank you for your partnership and support as we balance celebration with our shared commitment to students. Go Hawks!”
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PAT MCAFEE SAYS SAN FRANCISCO WASN’T THE ‘S—HOLE’ HE THOUGHT IT MAY BE DURING SUPER BOWL WEEK
The celebration will begin at Lumen Field at 10 a.m. PT with a parade commencing an hour later throughout the city.
It’s the second time the Seahawks have taken the Lombardi Trophy to the Pacific Northwest, also winning Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey against the Denver Broncos.
It was an 11-year wait for revenge for Seattle, who defeated the New England Patriots over a decade after Malcolm Butler’s infamous interception at the goal line.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates his team’s victory over the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
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Kenneth Walker III was named the game’s MVP with 135 rushing yards.
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