MOSES LAKE – Boeing is taking its first steps to fully restart airplane production in the Puget Sound region as thousands of IAM-represented employees return to work following a 52-day strike and subsequent contract agreement. Tuesday marked the last day striking employees could return to work. Employees began returning Nov. 6.  

“This was a very emotional strike. It was hard bargaining on both sides," IAM District 751 President Jon Holden said during a Nov. 5 press conference. 

The company aims to resume the production of several aircraft models, including the 737, 767, and 777/777X, as well as military derivations such as the P-8 and KC-46A, according to a Boeing statement. However, it will be several weeks before Boeing is back to airplane production. In a message to employees, Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope said safety remains the company’s foremost priority as operations are methodically reactivated in accordance with established safety protocols. 

“What is in front of us is a backlog of more than 5,400 airplanes and many committed customers,” Pope said in a Nov. 5 release. “This incredible order book will underwrite our future as we execute and deliver with safety, quality and dependability.” 

Pope said the company would focus on safety as it restarts aircraft production with a focus on being in full compliance with the company’s Safety Management System. 

Boeing’s phased approach includes assessing potential production issues, creating action plans to address them, conducting necessary training and ensuring worker certifications are current. Completed and certified airplanes will continue to be delivered from the Everett and Seattle Delivery Centers, as well as Boeing South Carolina. 

On November 5, Pope addressed the IAM workforce following the successful ratification of a new union contract. The contract passed with a 59% vote.  

“This year has tested our team and our company in extraordinary ways,” Pope said. “Last night’s contract ratification does not solve all of our challenges, but it gives us an opportunity to move forward in our recovery.” 

The contract for nearly 33,000 frontline workers who are members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Districts 751 and W24 includes a compound wage increase of 43.65% — 38% before compounding — over four years. Alongside the wage increase, there were various benefits enhancements including higher ratification bonuses, more into employees 401(k) and increased legacy pensions for employees who have pensions. This followed a strike that lasted nearly two months. 

Jon Holden, president of IAM 751, and Brandon Bryant, president of IAM W24, highlighted the significance of the ratification in a joint statement.  

“Working people know what it’s like when a company overreaches and takes away more than is fair,” they said. “Through this strike and the resulting victory, frontline workers at Boeing have done their part to begin rebalancing the scales in favor of the middle class.” 

As employees return to work, there are still concerns regarding potential layoffs.  

“As we’ve previously shared with our team, most affected U.S. employees will be notified mid-November and leave the company on Jan. 17,” reads a statement from Boeing Media Relations.  

The company also expressed its commitment to supporting these employees through severance pay and career transition services. 

Pope concluded her message on an optimistic note, expressing gratitude for the contributions of the IAM members that have resulted in a position for success.  

“Now is the time for us to move forward together and define a stronger Boeing,” she said. 

    Boeing employees on their first day of striking Sept. 13 after 94.6% of members voted to reject the initial contract offered by Boeing. The strike lasted for 52 days before members accepted the fourth contract offer and voted on three.