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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPeople carry sings as they march towards Boeing Field following a strike rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) at the Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, on October 15, 2024. Photo by JASON REDMOND\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n\n\n\n This story originally appeared in Common Dreams<\/a> on Oct. 24, 2024. It is shared here with permission under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The union representing striking Boeing employees announced<\/a> late Wednesday that its members rejected a tentative labor contract in a strong majority vote, news that came less than two weeks after the company divulged plans to slash 10% of its workforce<\/a> following years of aggressive spending on executive-enriching stock buybacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join thousands of others who rely on our journalism to navigate complex issues, uncover hidden truths, and challenge the status quo with our free newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox three times a week<\/strong>:SIGN UP<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tentative deal, which was announced<\/a> by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and Boeing over the weekend, included a 35% general wage increase spread over the duration of the four-year contract\u2014short of the 40% pay boost the union initially demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n IAM said Wednesday that 64% of members who voted opted to reject the proposal\u2014though the union did not immediately disclose turnout figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n IAM District 751 president Jon Holden and IAM District W24 president Brandon Bryant said in a joint statement that \u201cwe will continue to negotiate in good faith until we have made gains that workers feel adequately make up for what the company took from them in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter 10 years of sacrifices, we still have ground to make up, and we\u2019re hopeful to do so by resuming negotiations promptly,\u201d said Holden and Bryant. \u201cThis is workplace democracy\u2014and also clear evidence that there are consequences when a company mistreats its workers year after year. Workers across America know what it\u2019s like for a company to take and take\u2014and Boeing workers are saying they are fully and strongly committed to balancing that out by winning back more of what was taken from them by the company for more than a decade.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTen years of holding workers back unfortunately cannot be undone quickly or easily,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Bryant, international president of IAM, expressed support for the districts\u2019 fight for a just contract in response to news of the contract vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe entire IAM union, all 600,000 members across North America, stand with our District 751 and W24 membership,\u201d said Bryant. \u201cTheir fight is our fight\u2014and we support their decision to continue this strike for fairness and dignity for Boeing workers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/x.com\/IAM751\/status\/1849294305334292572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1849294305334292572%7Ctwgr%5E810f054f436ed01a5381def54852a82b46076217%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftherealnews.com%2Fthis-is-workplace-democracy-strike-continues-as-boeing-workers-reject-contract-offer<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vote marked the second time Boeing union members have rejected a tentative contract deal since last month, when workers walked off the job<\/a> after dismissing an offer that included a 25% pay raise over four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reuters <\/em>noted<\/a> Wednesday that Boeing workers have been \u201cventing frustration after a decade when their wages have lagged inflation and critics have complained that the planemaker spent tens of billions of dollars on share buybacks and paid out record executive bonuses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between 2010 and 2019, Boeing spent an estimated $68 billion<\/a> on stock buybacks and dividends. The company\u2019s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, is poised to bring in $22 million<\/a> in total compensation next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rep. Pramila Jayapal<\/a> (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a statement<\/a> Wednesday that \u201cwhile the recent tentative agreement from Boeing made important strides forward, it is clear from today\u2019s vote that Boeing\u2019s offer did not reach the demands of striking machinists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWorkers are recovering from years without pay increases, the decimation of their defined-benefit pension plans, and a previous management who did not respect them or even the quality of work,\u201d said Jayapal. \u201cToday\u2019s vote makes it clear that Boeing still has more work to do to earn the trust of workers and to put more on the table for a fair contract.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have been proud to stand with the machinists throughout the strike,\u201d she added. \u201cEvery worker deserves fair pay, good benefits, and a safe workplace. I hope to see both parties come back to the table to negotiate a deal that is acceptable to the union, because at the end of the day there is no Boeing without the IAM.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jake Johnson is a staff writer for Common Dreams. Follow him on Twitter: @johnsonjakep<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n More by Jake Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cWe will continue to negotiate in good faith until we have made gains that workers feel adequately make up for what the company took from them in the past.\u201d BY\u00a0JAKE JOHNSONOCTOBER 24, 2024 (therealnews.com) People carry sings as they march towards Boeing Field following a strike rally for the International… Continue reading ![\"Common](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/therealnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=600%2C150&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJAKE JOHNSON<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n