Boeing locked out its on-site firefighters who work at its Washington state facilities after contract negotiations stalled over the weekend.
The lockout came early Saturday morning after members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local I-66 union twice rejected Boeing’s contract offers during recent talks.
“Despite extensive discussions through an impartial federal mediator, we did not reach an agreement with the union,” Boeing said in a statement. “We have now locked out members of the bargaining unit and fully implemented our contingency plan with highly qualified firefighters performing the work of (union) members.”
The IAFF Local I-66 comprises about 125 members who do fire prevention work for the aviation manufacturer and respond to accidents, emergencies, and medical calls.
“As of 12:01 AM, all Boeing firefighters were forced to turn in their badges, take all of their things, and leave the property,” IAFF Local I-66 wrote on Facebook. “The Boeing Company initiated this lockout in an effort to intimidate and coerce our members. Strike lines are open at every work site. We invite you to join us in solidarity. Thank you. Happy International Firefighters Day!”
Picketers carried signs that read, “Make Safety A Priority!”
The union said in a press release over the weekend that the lockout is intended to “force” the firefighters into accepting a contract that undervalues their work.
“Putting corporate greed over safety, Boeing has decided to lockout our members, and the safety of the Washington facilities has been needlessly put at risk. When it’s fight or flight, firefighters don’t give up; we fight. And when we do, we fight for the benefits and protections that make everyone safer,” IAFF General President Edward Kelly said in a statement. “We won’t be intimidated by the bosses at Boeing. We'll stand up and fight.”
Months of Negotiations Stalled
The union and Boeing remain distant in their negotiations, which began about 2 1/2 months ago.Boeing said its latest offer includes a new pay structure for firefighters on a 24-hour shift schedule that would result in an average wage increase of about $21,000 a year. It also claims the firefighters were paid an average of $91,000 last year.
Union officials said Boeing’s “best and final” contract offer would require firefighters to work 19 years before they reached top pay and would still result in Boeing firefighters earning up to 30 percent less than firefighters in the cities where Boeing plants are located.
The union also argues that Boeing has saved billions in insurance costs by employing its own on-site firefighters and is seeking 40 percent to 50 percent pay increases for its members.
The ongoing treatment of its firefighters has led some to seek employment with local fire departments, driving years of training and experience out of Boeing, according to the union’s statement.
“When is Boeing going to make safety a priority? When is Boeing finally going to listen?” IAFF Local I-66 President Casey Yeager said in a statement. “In underpaying its firefighters, Boeing says we shouldn’t compare ourselves to local municipal departments. The truth is, the fires and incidents we respond to are often more dangerous and, if not contained quickly, can result in millions of dollars in damage to airplanes Boeing sells around the world.”
The lockout could impact resources in neighboring communities, where fire departments and EMS agencies will be tasked with responding to emergency calls at Boeing.
“Boeing Firefighters want to work. We also want to be treated with dignity and a fair contract,” Mr. Yeager said. “The aerospace industry in America is at a turning point. Our members are committed to improving the safety culture of the Boeing Company. But we refuse to let a multi-billion-dollar company resolve its years of mismanagement on the backs of firefighters. It’s time for Boeing to come back to the table and do right by its customers, employees, and community.”
Boeing has lost over $24 billion since 2019, and scrutiny over manufacturing quality and safety continues to grow amid recent in-air incidents, such as the Alaska Airlines incident in which a door plug blew out of a Boeing 737 Max in January as the plane was flying over Oregon.
