We anticipate that Boeing will present the Machinists Union with its “best and final” contract offer this weekend – potentially as early as today. The Machinists are planning to vote on the contract offer and strike authorization Sept. 12. If enough members vote to reject the offer and authorize a strike, the strike could start as early as 12:01 a.m., Friday, Sept. 13.

If the Machinists vote to strike

Please make sure members in your area know what to do in case of a strike:

Show up for work on Sept. 13: Our SPEEA contract with Boeing requires us to come to work in the event of a work stoppage involving another union. (Reminder, we did this earlier this year when Boeing locked out the Fire Fighters union.)

Don’t volunteer to do IAM work:

• If asked, politely decline.
• If ordered, comply, and contact your Council Rep immediately.
• REMEMBER: Machinists have specific training that allows them to do their jobs safely. If you’re directed to do IAM work, ask if there is training required for the assignment you are told to do. Also, ask if there are certifications required or safety concerns. If you are aware of safety concerns, ask your manager to address those concerns. You may also need to read the Boeing PROs and BPIs to ensure you know exactly what you are supposed to be doing.

Don’t fear the strikers: Machinists Union members know we must cross their picket lines and continue working because of our contracts. We don’t expect them to hassle us, egg our cars or TP our houses.

Do support the strikers: Machinists are planning to picket at all 16 Boeing gates around Puget Sound. If you drive past them, honk your car horn. If you walk past them, give them high fives and/or fist bumps. Make sure you’ve got a “SPEEA supports the IAM” sign or sticker for your car or jacket, and a desk tent for your workstation. SPEEA plans to have “SPEEA supports the IAM” picket signs at all Boeing gates for SPEEA members who can spare an hour before or after work (or your lunch break) to walk their picket lines with them. Keep wearing red for Machinists Mondays.

Extra credit: Pizza, donuts and bottled water are always welcome on the picket line.

Get updates from IAM sources: Check iam751.org or IAM 751’s official social media platforms. We’ll also share their updates on SPEEA’s social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn). Boeing will put out its own information, but it should be taken with a grain of salt, because Boeing is using its statements to convince Machinists to do what’s best for the company and its investors, and not necessarily do what’s best for union workers, their families and our communities.

CRs and ARs should also:

• Share this email with the SPEEA members in your area and follow up to see if they have questions.
• If your members have questions or concerns that you can’t answer, contact your Contract Administrator to arrange a lunchtime or coffee-and-donuts meeting for your area.

It goes without saying, but SPEEA is strongly supporting the IAM. Their success at the bargaining table today will lay the foundation for our own contract talks in 2026. With that in mind, let’s help them Get More in 2024!

SPEEA strongly supports the IAM, especially as their contract expiration date nears. To stay informed on the IAM negotiations, be sure to regularly check their website and social media.

What to do in case of a Machinists Union strike

- Do not volunteer to do IAM work

- If your manager asks, politely decline

- If your manager orders it, comply but report it immediately to your SPEEA Council Rep

Show your support

Join thousands of SPEEA members wearing red for Machnists Mondays.

Due to the demand for red SPEEA shirts, we recently ordered hundreds more cotton T-shirts to restock our low inventory. If you aren't able to get a SPEEA shirts for now, wear another red shirt for now and check back in at a later date.

Your support sends a message 

Like our solidarity with the Boeing Fire Fighters, we stand united in support with IAM. Their contract wins now lay the foundation for our successful contract talks in 2026.

Each week, SPEEA’s social media will feature a Wichita member sharing why they became dues-paying members.

Why Wichita

SPEEA is initially focusing this social media campaign on the Midwest to help build momentum with the Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) negotiations and the pending Boeing buyout of its former Wichita manufacturing site.

Look for new posts each Monday on SPEEA’s social media sites.

Interested in sharing why you joined SPEEA? Email speea@speea.org. 

SPEEA is strongly supporting the International Association of Machinists (IAM) at Boeing in their efforts for a fair contract.

Main Table talks are now underway between the Machinists’ negotiations team and Boeing leaders. We expect these talks will lead to a contract offer that IAM members likely will vote on after Labor Day.

SPEEA members have been asking questions about what could happen next:

Second strike vote – The Machinists held a strike sanction vote in July (with 99.9% saying yes to support strike sanction). Machinists Union members will take an actual strike vote once they receive Boeing's contract offer.

If a majority of Machinists in Seattle and Portland vote to reject Boeing's contract offer AND two-thirds of them vote to go on strike, then a strike would begin at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 13.

Crossing a picket line – You will be expected to continue coming to work. Our union contract with Boeing requires us to report to work as usual during labor disputes involving other unions. The Machinists know this; their contracts have similar provisions that, for example, required them to cross the Fire Fighter picket lines earlier this summer. SPEEA members can show support as we drive past by putting a SPEEA support sign in our vehicles.

IAM work – If you are asked to do IAM work, politely decline. If you are ordered to do IAM work, immediately contact your Council Rep or Contract Administrator while being careful not to refuse a direct order. Work performed by those on strike should never be done by SPEEA-represented employees unless ordered to do so. We stand in solidarity with IAM members, who are highly skilled employees with months of training specific to their jobs. Do not volunteer to do their work.

Picket during off hours - If the Machinists Union goes on strike at Boeing, you absolutely have the right to go to the picket line during off-work hours. Spend a few minutes or a few hours. Walk with them. The extra number of people makes a difference.

Showing support – In addition to printing and showing a SPEEA support sign and desk tent, wear a red shirt on Mondays for "Machinists Mondays." Between now and Sept. 13, attend IAM rallies in the workplace while wearing a SPEEA shirt and/or carrying a SPEEA sign.

Talk to your Machinists coworkers. Let them know you support their efforts to secure a fair contract for wages, benefits and working conditions.

Impact on Spirit AeroSystems? - Depending on the duration of any strike, there could be knock-on effects that affect our members in Wichita. It’s impossible to predict now exactly what those might be. We are in touch with Spirit members and leaders to be ready.

The SPEEA Executive Board sent a letter of labor support for affordable housing in Washington state. The letter went to Yes on Initiative 137 Steering Committee.

The Seattle initiative would create a tax on executives who make more than $1 million a year in total compensation. The revenue stream would be bonded to accelerate production of social housing units available to all income levels.

In December 2020, the SPEEA Northwest Council voted to make affordable housing a top legislative priority for our union. This decision reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that our members, their families, and future aerospace workers have access to adequate and affordable housing.

See the SPEEA Executive Board letter of support.

Committees are open to all members and cover a wide range of interests. Interested in politics? Join the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee. Other committees focus on diversity, member activities, new members, women's advocacy, veterans issues and other issues important to members. Attend a meeting to get a feel for the issues and activities. New issues and ideas are always welcome.

Established committees, along with their charter and officers are listed on the committee pages. For more information, attend a meeting or contact one of the committee officers.

SPEEA Committees                        Midwest Committees                    Northwest Committees