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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In what turned out to be a an offseason of highs and lows for Mariners general manager Justin Hollander and team president Jerry Dipoto. However, they were able to cap off a frustrating few weeks by acquiring infielder and 2024 All-Star, Brendan Donovan.
Wile the club saw last year’s second baseman, Jorge Polanco, and third baseman, Eugenio Suarez depart, Donovan may be a better fit for the club. He doesn’t hit with anywhere near the power of those two former Mariners, but he’s much more consistent. He ranks among MLB’s best in on-base percentage over his for years in the big leagues, and he’s a skilled defender who won a GoldGlove in his rookie season.
A career .282 hitter, Donnie gives the M’s a lot of options in the batting order and fills one of the two vacancies in the Seattle infield. The other spot seems to come down to a comperition between young players, with top prospects Colt Emerson and Cole Young battling it out with second-year man Leo Rivas during Spring Training. The most likely scenario would involve a platoon or a rotating system among at least two of them.
CLICK FOR MORE: Seattle host says Mariners’ trade for Brendan Donovan is ‘what contending teams do’
The Mariners have certainly re-loaded with enough ammo to repeat as the division champs in 2026, but are they still looking to pull off an 11th hour deal as pitchers and catchers will begin reporting to Arizona? COuld there be one more deal up the sleeve of the team’s fantastic front office?
The Mariners seem content with what they have
Heading into the new season, Seattle seems set as they look to repeat as American League West Division Champions. Although you can never put anything past the dealing duo of Hollander and Dipoto, the team can win with the cards they’ve already been dealt.
But as Spring Training unfolds and the cleats hit the field, the team will have a bird’s-eye view of what they’re working with. If management feels like they’re faltering because they’re relying on players like Emerson too much and too fast, look for them to try to bring in a stopgap veteran. Otherwise? There’s no reason to mess with this roster until at least mid-May.
More Seattle Mariners News & Opinions
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Israel Adesanya will be a featured attraction at UFC Seattle. |
Getty/UFC
The card for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s upcoming trip to the Emerald
City is close to being finalized.
The Las Vegas-based promotion on Wednesday confirmed 11 bouts for
UFC Seattle, many of which had already been reported. UFC
Seattle — also known as UFC Fight Night 271 — takes place on March
28 at Climate Pledge Arena and is headlined by a middleweight
showdown pitting Israel
Adesanya against Joe Pyfer. In
the co-main event, ex-flyweight queen Alexa
Grasso will square off against Maycee
Barber at 125 pounds. The card will air in its entirety on
Paramount+.
Adesanya has lost four of his last five Octagon appearances dating
back to November 2022. In his lone appearance of 2025, “The Last
Stylebender” suffered a second-round technical knockout defeat to
Nassourdine
Imavov in the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner last February.
Adesanya captured 185-pound gold in October 2019 and authored five
successful title defenses before relinquishing the belt to
kickboxing rival Alex
Pereira at UFC 281.
A two-time competitor on
Dana White’s Contender Series, Pyfer has gone 6-1 in the
promotion since earning a UFC contract in 2022. After suffering his
lone career Octagon defeat to Jack
Hermansson in the UFC Fight Night 236 main event, “Bodybagz”
has rebounded to post successive triumphs against Marc-Andre
Barriault, Kelvin
Gastelum and Abusupiyan
Magomedov.
UFC Seattle Card
Israel
Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer
Alexa
Grasso vs. Maycee
Barber
Marcin
Tybura vs. Valter
Walker
Chase
Hooper vs. Lance
Gibson Jr.
Michael
Chiesa vs. Carlston
Harris
Navajo
Stirling vs. Bruno
Lopes
Mansur
Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri
Belgaroui
Casey
O’Neill vs. Gabriella
Fernandes
Julian
Erosa vs. Lerryan
Douglas
Kangjie
Zhu vs. Marcio
Barbosa
Carol
Foro vs. Stephanie
Luciano
(Tuesday morning on Elliott Bay – photographed by Mike Burns)
Lots of possibilities for your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, have numerous highlights:
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fontanelle (so if you didn’t see this in the calendar in time, here’s a reminder for next week).
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, play at the new location of Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
VR FOR TEENS’ MENTAL HEALTH: Try it out at 2:30 pm, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
ART WORKSHOP: Drop-in art for kids withRec ‘N The Streets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3-4:30 pm.
HOLY ROSARY FUNDRAISER AT LADY JAYE: “Eighth grade students from Holy Rosary are raising money to go to Washington DC after graduation this June. There will be a fundraiser tonight, Wednesday, February 4th, at Lady Jaye from 4 pm until close. It’s Whiskey Wednesday featuring Old Fitzgerald 7yr wheated bourbon for $8 all evening. Please make sure to mention Holy Rosary School to your server!” (4523 California SW)
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), free drop-in help for students.
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
16TH SW PARKING MEETING: As previewed here, a community discussion with city reps about possible parking restrictions on 16th SW is being hosted by South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 5:30 pm in Cascade Hall.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
PIANO NIGHT: 6 pm, monthly piano night at Upwell Wine & Coffee (4811 California SW).
‘LET’S TALK ABOUT THE S–T WE’RE PRETENDING IS FINE’: That’s the topic as a new women’s group called The Commwell convenes, 6 pm. (5446 California SW)
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm, drop in and create at this cozy pottery studio. (3400 Harbor SW)
CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: This month’s book is “On the Beach“ by Nevil Shute. Come to Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) to talk about it, 6 pm.
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: You’re invited to this 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
CRIBBAGE NIGHT AT THE EAGLES: Wednesdays at 6 pm are cribbage-tournament nights, all welcome, membership not required. (4426 California SW)
KUNDALINI YOGA – NEW TIME: Now at 6 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Get moving at midweek on the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, regardless of what pace you run at!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
ALKI COMMUNITY CHOIR OPEN REHEARSALS: “From seasoned vocalists to shower divas,” everyone’s welcome to sing with this choir at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia venues on our Wednesday list: at Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), 7 pm, free to play … 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, it’s trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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