Boeing works to conserve cash as 33,000 factory workers go on strike

(13 Sep 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Renton, Washington – 13 September 2024
1. Mid of Boeing Machinists Union members are seen on the picket line at the Renton assembly plant on Friday.
2. Mid of a worker ringing a bell and placard on one hand that read "On strike against Boeing."
3. Mid of Boeing Machinists Union members on the picket line at the Renton assembly plant.

++PARTLY COVERED BY SHOTS 1-3++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dallas, Texas – 13 September 2024
4. SOUNDBITE (English) David Koenig, The Associated Press:
"Boeing has had several strikes, more than a half dozen in its history, by the machinists. They typically have lasted several weeks. The last one in 2008 lasted about six or seven weeks. And some analysts think that this one could run into mid-November and may be around then as we head into Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays, that the Boeing workers who will not be getting paid will decide that they're running short on cash and they might be agreeable to accept another contract offer."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Renton, Washington – 13 September 2024
5. Mid of placards that read "On strike against Boeing."
6. Mid of Boeing Machinists Union members on the picket line at the Renton assembly plant.
7. Mid of a Boeing Machinists Union member stands next to a Boeing signage and holds a placard.
8. Wide of Boeing Machinists Union members on the picket

++PARTLY COVERED BY SHOTS 5-8++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dallas, Texas – 13 September 2024
9. SOUNDBITE (English) David Koenig, The Associated Press:
"The biggest issue that we heard from workers as they went in to vote and as they were on picket lines is they didn't think this offer of 25% pay raise over four years is enough. They want 40%. Of course, that will cost Boeing a lot more money. And Boeing has lost more than $25 billion over the last six years. Their debt is around $60 billion. So they don't want to dig a bigger hole, but they are in a difficult spot because they really need those workers to keep the assembly lines going."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Renton, Washington – 13 September 2024
10. Closeup of placards that read "On strike against Boeing."
11. Mid of Boeing Machinists Union members on the picket line at the Renton assembly plant.

++PARTLY COVERED BY SHOTS 10-11++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dallas, Texas – 13 September 2024
12. SOUNDBITE (English) David Koenig, The Associated Press:
"So this is going to shut down production of Boeing 737 and the 777. And that means Boeing will not be getting the cash it normally gets when it delivers those finished planes to airline customers. And they need that cash right now because they've been losing money and they're heavily in debt. So it's going to be very painful for the company. It's they're going to be very motivated to try and settle with the union."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++
STORYLINE:
Blue-collar workers from Boeing walked picket lines in the Pacific Northwest instead of building airplanes on Friday after they overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would have raised their wages by 25% over four years.

The strike by 33,000 machinists will not disrupt airline flights anytime soon, but it is expected to shut down production of Boeing's best-selling jetliners, marking yet another setback for a company already dealing with billions of dollars in financial losses and a damaged reputation.

The company said it was taking steps to conserve cash while its CEO looks for ways to come up with a contract that the unionized factory workers will accept.

























AP Video by Manuel Valdes and Lekan Oyekanmi

[AR-szlm]

The strike has literally only been days. Furloughs generally don't happen for a long time. This is a strong arm tactic against IAM workers.
It's like everyone has forgotten about the Senate hearing a few months ago when Hawley pointed out that the workers have only gotten a 1% raise since 2008, and told Calhoun to give the workers a substantial raise, to which Calhoun agreed.
The offer that was rejected by 95% of 33, 000 workers, and 96% voted to strike against was a shell game that would have resulted in reduced take home pay.
96% of 33, 000 people don't vote against something that is in any way even marginally reasonable.

[SanseriIIDX]

Spend billions to save millions. That’s the Boeing way.

[drbrown]

Boeing’s offer removed the machinist’s annual bonus (averages about 4%). So multiple that by 4 years and that equals 16%. Simple math here for ALL of these so-called aviation experts, and those claiming that the machinists are greedy. 25% raises over those 4 years minus the 16% that Boeing took away in bonuses equals 9%. Divide that by 4 years and that equals 2.25% raise per year. Who’s the greedy one in this contract offer???
Did these experts read the contract, or are just trying to get TV time? You must’ve forgotten about the contract “extension” that was forced down our throat over a decade ago. Let me refresh your memory. The machinists voted it down with nearly a 70% vote. But while we were on Christmas break, they held a secondary vote that not ALL of the machinists had knowledge of. It ended with a 51% in favor of vote. Something smells fishy here, and it’s not Pike Place Market! Boeing paid us a $15, 000 ratification bonus ($10, 000 up front, $5, 000 5 years later). On this REJECTED contract offer, they offered us $3, 000 (2024 dollar).
So I ask, WHO’S THE GREEDY ONES??? What’s understood need not be discussed.