Historical Precedents for Boeing strikes
Boeing used to have a much longer history of labor strikes, often with its unionized workforce primarily represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Many of these strikes are the result from wage claims, social benefits disagreements etc.
The long list of strikes at Boeing plant underscores the dynamics between business and workers, showing what has changed — or not — in how companies deal with labor matters over time.
The 1948 Strike
Boeing’s first major walkout of note came back in 1948. Boeing workers, at the time, were asking for higher wages due to post-war inflation.
The strike lasted nearly 140 days and over 15,000 employees took part. The walkout changed how Boeing interacted with its employees via labor relations and future strikes.
It highlighted the need for unions to promote better conditions in a booming aerospace industry.
The 1977 Strike
The next major strike happened in 1977 when more than 25,000 IAM members struck for over a month.
The strike was mostly related to wage and job security issues. Boeing was also in a tough financial spot with the recession of orders for aircraft, and would not agree to increased wages that were bigger than what the union anticipated.
Workers ultimately won wage increases, but the strike clearly unveiled a tightrope walk between respecting workers’ rights and not jeopardizing the company’s financial future.
The 1989 Strike
Perhaps the most notable Boeing strike was in 1989, when about 57,000 mechanics staged a staggeringly long — for airplane workers at least — eight-week walkout.
The sticking point was health care benefits. The union strongly opposed changes that would increase what workers have to pay for health coverage, which Boeing had proposed.
It ended in a compromise, but it was one of the company’s costliest and longest strikes ever. This gave a further edge to the power of unionized labor at Boeing: The company lost significant production time and revenue.
The 2000 Strike
The Boeing machinists followed in 2000 with another strike, this one lasting for 40 days. Pensions, job security and wages were the front-burner issues.
Workers across the Boeing industrial empire, many of whom were already fearful about their long-term job security due to company outsourcing moves in recent years.
Costing Boeing more than $500 million, the strike was a significant financial hit to the company Workers ultimately secured improved benefits and wage increases but the strike also underscored wider concerns about Nike’s global supply chain and outsourcing policies.
The 2008 Strike
Most famously, in 2008 some 27,000 IAM members went on strike for a whopping 58 days. These concerns ranged from pay to outsourcing and job security.
The strike was timed to coincide with mounting challenges from rival Airbus and production delays on its 787 Dreamliner program.
That strike reportedly cost Boeing around $2 billion in lost revenue and pushed out the timeline for some key aircraft. They would eventually return to work after securing better pay, pensions and assurances on job security.
The strikes in Boeing’s 100-year long history are a result of the difficulties involved. when attempting to balance corporate bottom line concerns while fulfilling workforce basic demand for living wages, benefits and job security.
Every strike since has shown the power of unionized labor and severely hurt Mahle’s business.
One of the most important negotiations will be in 2024, when Boeing faces another possible strike; history suggests that outcome — a first contract for younger workers as an example—will determine the outlines of where additional talks between labor and management go next.
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