Dozens of machinists gathered outside Boeing’s Everett facility on Monday, chanting “Vote no! Vote no!” in protest of the company’s latest labor offer.
More than 100 workers, some carrying signs of protest and wearing T-shirts with the same message, rallied to voice their rejection of Boeing’s eight-year offer, which calls for the freezing of workers’ pensions starting in 2016.
"I'm telling you right now: this contract stinks,” said Robley Evans, a machinist of 28 years who works at Boeing’s Auburn plant. "There's no way we could take this."
The machinists said the issue is one they have fought hard for in past years, and they’re not willing to give it up especially at such a profitable time for the company.
"Don't give up so easily what we fought so hard to win,” said Daniel Swank, another machinist.
Boeing made the proposal last week as part of a guarantee to keep assembly work on the 777X and carbon-fiber wings in Washington state. The company also urged Gov. Jay Inslee to call a special session and pass tax incentives, which the Legislature managed to do in three days.
Union members are scheduled to vote on the proposal on Wednesday.
