Day 30 - Strike Update October 12, 2024

Hold the Line Portland!

Yesterday's announcement that Boeing plans to reduce its total workforce by 10% and end production of the 767 Freighters in 2027 attracted significant media attention and raised many questions.

It's important to state that the Machinists did not cause this by going on strike. Our 30-day strike is a direct outcome of poor decision-making by Boeing's executives, who continue to disregard the voices of 33,000 of their workers.

An article published today highlights how layoffs have become the typical corporate response in such situations. Les Leopold, executive director of the Labor Institute and author of Wall Street’s War on Workers, sums it up: "Boeing is in trouble because it became a manufacturer of stock buybacks, not just planes."

You can read the full article here: After Gorging on Stock Buybacks for Years, Boeing Announces Mass Layoffs 

Boeing has the power to end this strike at any time. They know what it will take but have chosen not to act. This is on the company, not the IAM.

The solution lies at the bargaining table. CEO Ortberg has a chance to do things differently this time rather than follow the same corporate playbook. The IAM is ready and willing to resume negotiations at any time.

In Unity,

Your Union Negotiating Committee