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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The West Seattle Junction space formerly occupied by Willow, preceded by Fleurt, will not be empty for long. A familiar Junction fashion entrepreneur is moving into 4536 California SW – here’s the announcement:
Well-known West Seattle staple Carmilia’s announced today that it will open a new store in the Alaska Junction, offering everything from skincare products to fashion accessories. The new store, located at 4536 California Ave SW, formerly home to Fleurt and Willow, will do a soft opening on Art Walk Night, May 14, 2026. Carmilia’s owner, Linda Walsh, is at the helm of the project.
The store will be filled with all of Walsh’s favorite things: shoes, accessories, and gifts, at a variety of price points. It’s the perfect place to find unique and playful items for your next celebration or shopping spree. The store’s scheduled hours are Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday 10 am-4 pm.
Walsh told us she hasn’t yet settled on a name, so if you pass the future shop’s windows you will probably see “Watch This Space” as a placeholder!
Kansas football coach Lance Leipold speaks at Jayhawks’ pro day event
Check out some of what Kansas football coach Lance Leipold had to say recently at the Jayhawks’ 2026 pro day event in Lawrence.
LAWRENCE — Emmanuel Henderson Jr. went into the 2026 NFL Draft in April thinking that third day, when the fourth-through-seventh rounds played out, would be when he’d be taken.
Henderson, a wide receiver in college for Kansas football this past season, wasn’t sure which team would pick him. He’d talked with the Seattle Seahawks organization during the pre-draft process sure, but there was nothing guaranteed. Overall, he was just ready for his first professional opportunity.
Seattle, though, did end up being the team that drafted him in the sixth round. That the Seahawks are coming off of a Super Bowl title certainly stands out to him, as does the fact he’ll be able to reunite with some former teammates from Alabama — where he was, prior to transferring to KU for the 2025 season. And he’s both happy to have ended up in Seattle, and eager to show what he’d told NFL teams about his ability during the pre-draft process.
“You could see from my film, I can take the top off any defense you put me against,” Henderson said recently. “Not only that, that I’m a receiver that loves to play special teams. So, that’s one of the great abilities I got to showcase, too.”
Henderson became an All-Big 12 Conference first team honoree as a returner this past season, in addition to making the third team as a wide receiver. He added an honorable mention recognition for offensive newcomer of the year. He came to Kansas because it gave him a chance to showcase his talents, because there was playing time up for grabs, and he took advantage of his opportunity.
Henderson, who highlighted his kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia as one fond memory, sees his special teams experience as something that can give him an advantage as he tries to make Seattle’s roster. That he’s played at different spots there, he feels, makes him a more versatile athlete. As the offseason unfolds, he just wants to show his new coaches his personality as he puts in more work, and develop chemistry with his new teammates.
KU coach Lance Leipold shared a post on social media following Henderson’s selection by Seattle, expressing his support. Henderson’s also heard from so many friends and family members in the days since. Now, it’s just about making sure that versatility translates to the next level.
“I’m looking forward to just moving around, inside, outside receiver, even part of the backfield if I get the chance to,” Henderson said. “But anywhere they’ll put me I’d love to go.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
The Seattle Mariners have a new pitcher, and it’s one they’re quite familiar with.
Cal Raleigh has soreness in side, out of Mariners’ lineup again
Longtime former Los Angeles Angels left-hander José Suarez was claimed by the Mariners on Sunday off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. To make room on the 40-man roster, Seattle designated Triple-A outfielder Rhylan Thomas for assignment.
The Mariners (16-18 entering Sunday) and the MLB-leading Braves (24-10) are set to begin a three-game series at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park on Monday night.
The 28-year-old Suarez is in his eighth MLB season, the first six of which were with the Angels. Because of his long tenure playing for a Mariners AL West rival, Suarez has played against the Mariners (14 games, 10 starts, 59 1/3 innings) more than any other MLB team.
Braves star Acuña to 10-day IL, out for series vs. Mariners
Suarez had a 6.61 ERA in eight games (one start) and 16 1/3 innings for the Braves this season. He first joined the Braves last year.
The Braves designated Suarez for assignment on Friday.
The best seasons of Suarez’s career were in 2021 and 2022 with the Angels, both years in which he went 8-8 with an ERA below 4.00 and WHIP under 1.25.
The Mariners had to scramble to fill a spot in the bullpen this week when right-hander Matt Brash went on the injured list with right lat inflammation. They initially called up left-hander Josh Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma just before their game against Kansas City on Friday night, then replaced Simpson by calling up Nick Davila from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday.
Thomas, 26, made his MLB debut last season, appearing in three games for the Mariners. This year in Triple-A, he’s has a .260/.313/.328 slash line for a .641 OPS with two home runs in 31 games. Thomas was an 11th-round MLB Draft pick in 2022 out of USC by the New York Mets.
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