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
Citation:
Boeing faces potential strike as Seattle workers vote (2024, September 12)
retrieved 12 September 2024
from https://techxplore.com/news/2024-09-boeing-potential-seattle-workers-vote.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
FIFE, Wash. – A portion of southbound I-5 will be closed overnight in Fife Friday and Saturday night, according to WSDOT.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says the purpose of the closure is to install a new electronic sign and will need two nights to do it.
Crews will close southbound I-5 from 54th Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road starting at 11 p.m. Friday night until 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Closures will resume Saturday night starting at 11 p.m. as well, and lanes will reopen Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m.
WSDOT says the closure will include the 54th Avenue ramps to southbound I-5.
Detours for weekend I-5 closure in Fife, WA
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Family from Japan has kimonos stolen outside Seattle Center: ‘Irreplaceable’
Do you recognize him? Sketch released of WA man found dead under SR 520 bridge
West Seattle homeless encampment swept despite mayor’s promise
Snapchat to lay off over 90 Seattle, Bellevue employees
Off-roading for a cause, Thurston Co. Sheriff’s Jeep Patrol looking for volunteers
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story comes from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley entered this season as one of the team’s biggest bounce-back candidates. So far, he’s on his way to quite the rebound year.
Seattle Mariners’ slow start has featured some bad luck
The 31-year-old Raley has been one of the best Mariners hitters early on, as he was during his first year with the team in 2024. In his first 18 games, Raley is batting .328 (20 for 61) with a 1.002 OPS, four homers, four doubles and one triple.
Raley’s strong early performance featured a candidate for his best game at the plate as a big leaguer on Wednesday against the Padres. He turned in his first career four-hit game, which included a homer and a double. It was the third time in a four-game span Raley had at least three hits.
Just about all of the damage Raley has done has come against right-handed pitching since he’s used as the left-handed side of a platoon in right field. So far this season, he has just two at-bats against lefties.
During Thursday’s edition of Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, co-host Bob Stelton made the case that the Mainers should ride the hot hand and give Raley more opportunities in left-on-left matchups.
“When somebody’s hot – you got very few hitters in this lineup that are hot, Donovan is another guy – I don’t care if there’s a lefty on the hill. Let Luke hit. Let Donovan hit. Let whoever’s hot (hit),” Stelton said. “… This guy is seeing the ball really well right now, let him keep going.”
What the right-handed options to replace Raley have done thus far is another reason Stelton would like to see the outfielder get more same-handed matchup opportunities. Veteran Rob Refsnyder, who is currently on paternity leave, has yet to get a hit in his first 19 plate appearances. And outfielder Victor Robles is on the injured list, leaving Connor Joe as the other right-handed option in right field. Joe has only five at-bat this season, but he hit just .221 in 157 combined games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The issue of Raley hitting against lefties came up Thursday night when he was pinch hit for by Joe with the bases loaded and out in the sixth inning down 4-2 against Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon. Joe ended up striking out on three pitches.
However, Raley’s track record against left-handers hasn’t been good. He has a career .182 average and .533 OPS against southpaws in 194 plate appearances.
“It’s comfort for a lot of these guys… Maybe it’s just a matter of seeing lefties enough,” Stelton said. “… You’re going to get better by getting used to it and facing those guys… I would think if they’re feeling good at the time, if they’re on a roll, then show them, you know what, I’ve got that much confidence in you. They’re running the lefty out there today and you’re in the lineup, so get ready.”
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player below. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• It may be time for Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh to make some tradeoffs
• Trevor May: Mariners’ Brendan Donovan ‘has been as advertised’
• Changes helping Seattle Mariners’ Luke Raley look like his old self
• Former Seattle Mariners clubhouse favorite continuing career in Mexico
• How will Bryce Miller’s return impact Seattle Mariners rotation?
Seattle, WA
Seattle SWAT arrests man accused of waving handgun at passerby in Roosevelt neighborhood
SEATTLE — Seattle police arrested a 37-year-old man Wednesday evening after investigators say he threatened people with what appeared to be a handgun in the Roosevelt neighborhood.
At about 7:18 p.m., officers responded to a report of a man standing in the street and waving a handgun at passersby in the 7800 block of Lake City Way Northeast.
Police said officers arrived and found a black BMW stopped in the street that was reported stolen, with a man seated in the passenger seat holding a handgun.
The officers tried to contact him, but he appeared to be in a mental crisis or under the influence of an unknown substance, continued yelling, and did not comply with commands.
Police then called the Hostage Negotiation Team and SWAT, and SWAT moved in with an armored vehicle and took the man into custody without further incident.
The vehicle was towed to the North Precinct. Police said officers later served a search warrant and recovered a realistic black BB gun.
The man was transported to King County Jail and booked for investigation of felony harassment, possession of a stolen vehicle, and a felony warrant.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Seattle Police Department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.
L.A. Affairs: After getting dumped at 46 by a cheater, could I ever find love again?
Californians are pouring money into Democrats’ Senate races in other states
1,200% jump in kratom-related calls to poison control centers in last decade, analysis shows
Lakers ‘elevate’ work for playoffs with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured
Pressure mounts on Peru’s election authorities amid presidential race delay
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Pressure mounts on Peru’s election authorities amid presidential race delay
Tornadoes touch down in Rochester area
Minnesota Republicans reveal which far-left candidate they want to challenge in open Senate race
Swedish rights groups slam ‘honest living’ criteria for migrants
Orbán’s defeat is a win for democracy and a warning to Trump, some say
-
Ohio3 days ago‘Little Rascals’ star Bug Hall arrested in Ohio
-
Arkansas1 week agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Austin, TX1 week agoABC Kite Fest Returns to Austin for Annual Celebration – Austin Today
-
Politics3 days agoDem fundraising giant in the hot seat as GOP lawmakers demand answers over dodged subpoena
-
Science3 days ago‘Dr. Pimple Popper’ Sandra Lee had a stroke last fall. Here’s how the TV doc is bouncing back
-
Politics6 days agoTrump blasts Spanberger ahead of Virginia meetings, says state faces tax base exodus like New York, California
-
Health1 week agoWoman discovers missing nose ring traveled to her lungs, causing month-long cough
-
San Francisco, CA5 days agoPresident Trump terminates Presidio Trust