Boeing strike coverage for the New York Times and Bloomberg News
December 12, 2024

Workers with picket signs outside the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility during a strike in Everett, Washington, US, on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Boeing Co. factory workers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, halting manufacturing across the planemaker’s Seattle hub after members of its largest union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike. Photographer: M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg
Union members await results of the contract and strike vote at the IAM District 751 Main Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, US, on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Members of Boeing Co.’s largest union vote on the first comprehensive labor contract in 16 years on Thursday, setting the stage for a disruptive strike just as the embattled planemaker works to recover from a series of manufacturing missteps.

For Bloomberg News and the New York Times, I spent many days (and nights!) in Everett, Renton, Seattle, and other places around the region covering the lengthy Boeing Machinists strike from September to November 2024. I covered everything from the first walkout and vote to resoundingly reject the initial contract offering to the midnight start of the strike to the round-the-clock picket lines by the side of the highway and outside different Boeing facilities and finally to multiple contract rejections and ultimately a final contract acceptance and abandonment of the strike locations.

It was exhausting keeping up with all the developments, especially the first couple of days of the strike, but a pleasure to get so much time to work on one ongoing story.

Signs and posters about the impending union contract and strike vote outside the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington, US, on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg urged members of the company’s largest union not to strike, cautioning a work stoppage would harm efforts to turn around the planemaker’s factories after years of turmoil.
Machinists leave the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility to vote on a contract and strike in Renton, Washington, US, on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg urged members of the company’s largest union not to strike, cautioning a work stoppage would harm efforts to turn around the planemaker’s factories after years of turmoil.
Union members cheer after the announcement of the contract and strike vote results at the IAM District 751 Main Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, US, on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Members of Boeing Co.’s largest union vote on the first comprehensive labor contract in 16 years on Thursday, setting the stage for a disruptive strike just as the embattled planemaker works to recover from a series of manufacturing missteps.
Food for picketing workers outside the Boeing Co. facility during a strike in Everett, Washington, US, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Boeing Co. factory workers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, halting manufacturing across the planemaker’s Seattle hub after members of its largest union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike.
Workers strike outside the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility during a strike in Renton, Washington, US, on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Members of Boeing Co.’s largest union vote on the first comprehensive labor contract in 16 years on Thursday, setting the stage for a disruptive strike just as the embattled planemaker works to recover from a series of manufacturing missteps.
Workers picket outside the Boeing Co. facility during a strike in Everett, Washington, US, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Boeing Co. factory workers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, halting manufacturing across the planemaker’s Seattle hub after members of its largest union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike.
Workers with picket signs outside the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility during a strike in Renton, Washington, US, on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Boeing Co. factory workers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, halting manufacturing across the planemaker’s Seattle hub after members of its largest union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike.
Striking machinist Carol (last name withheld) holds strike signs while dressed as a clown outside the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall during a Boeing Machinist strike rally in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Tue., Oct. 15, 2024. Carol says she works on the 767 program in the Boeing Everett factory and has worked at Boeing for 18 years. The strike is entering its second month. During the rally, the strikers erupted in chants shouting "Pension" numerous times.
Workers picket outside the Boeing Co. facility during a strike in Everett, Washington, US, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Boeing Co. factory workers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, halting manufacturing across the planemaker’s Seattle hub after members of its largest union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike.
Workers with picket signs outside the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility during a strike in Everett, Washington, US, on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Boeing Co. factory workers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, halting manufacturing across the planemaker’s Seattle hub after members of its largest union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike. Photographer: M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg
Workers picket outside the Boeing Co. facility during a strike in Everett, Washington, US, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Boeing Co. factory workers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, halting manufacturing across the planemaker’s Seattle hub after members of its largest union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike.
Workers picket outside the Boeing Co. facility during a strike in Everett, Washington, US, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Boeing Co. factory workers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, halting manufacturing across the planemaker’s Seattle hub after members of its largest union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike.

The final contract votes

Striking Boeing machinists gather in the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall during a rally in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Tue., Oct. 15, 2024. The strike is entering its second month. During the rally, the strikers erupted in chants shouting "Pension" numerous times.
Strike signs cover the walls as striking Boeing machinists wait in line for food before a rally at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Tue., Oct. 15, 2024. The strike is entering its second month.
Striking machinists count ballots from today's vote on whether or not to end the weeks-long Boeing machinists' strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 23, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who voted to reject the initial contract offer and strike with over 90% approval in September. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region.
Wearing a button reading "That's a Hard No" Gina Forbush, of Gig Harbor, Wash., reacts to news that 64% of striking Boeing machinists rejected the contract in today's vote whether or not to end the weeks-long strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 23, 2024. Forbush works at the Renton factory and has been with Boeing for 37 years. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who voted to reject the initial contract offer and strike with over 90% approval in September. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region.
Wearing a button reading "That's a Hard No" Gina Forbush, of Gig Harbor, Wash., reacts to news that 64% of striking Boeing machinists rejected the contract in today's vote whether or not to end the weeks-long strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 23, 2024. Forbush works at the Renton factory and has been with Boeing for 37 years. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who voted to reject the initial contract offer and strike with over 90% approval in September. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region.
A vintage "Vote Yes" button is seen in a collection of vintage campaign and strike buttons in the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Nov. 4, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who have twice voted to reject proposed contracts in the past two months. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times
Striking machinists count ballots from today's vote on whether or not to end the weeks-long Boeing machinists' strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 23, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who voted to reject the initial contract offer and strike with over 90% approval in September. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region.
A burn barrel is filled with fire as striking Boeing machinists in the IAM 751 union vote whether or not to accept the latest Boeing contract and end their weeks-long strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Nov. 4, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who have twice voted to reject proposed contracts in the past two months. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times
IAM 751 union president Jon Holden speaks during a press conference after announcing that 64% of striking machinists rejected Boeing's contract in today's vote on whether or not to end the weeks-long Boeing machinists' strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 23, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who voted to reject the initial contract offer and strike with over 90% approval in September. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region.
Striking Boeing machinists talk about the vote results as 64% of union members rejected the contract in today's vote whether or not to end the weeks-long strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 23, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who voted to reject the initial contract offer and strike with over 90% approval in September. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region.
Picket signs outside a strike rally in the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Tue., Oct. 15, 2024. The strike is entering its second month. During the rally, the strikers erupted in chants shouting "Pension" numerous times.
Ballots are distributed to be counted by striking machinists as the IAM 751 union votes whether or not to accept the latest Boeing contract and end their weeks-long strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Nov. 4, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who have twice voted to reject proposed contracts in the past two months. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times
A pamphlet lists the highlights of the 2024 Boeing/IAM contract at the voting locationg where striking machinists voted on whether or not to end the weeks-long Boeing machinists' strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 23, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who voted to reject the initial contract offer and strike with over 90% approval in September. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region.
Jon Voss, a union steward and fuel cell mechanic in Boeing's Renton facility, embraces union Business Rep Carolyn Romeo, after the announcement that IAM 751 striking machinists voted to accept the latest Boeing contract and end their weeks-long strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Nov. 4, 2024. Voss said, "I've got mixed emotions. I'm very proud of everyone that stood up. I wish the Boeing Company had given us everything we demanded. Now it's time to get ready for 2028," referring to the next contract negotiation. Romeo said, "Well, it was surprising to me. I knew it was going to be close either way." The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who have twice voted to reject proposed contracts in the past two months. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times
IAM 751 president Jon Holden (center) greets union members after announcing that the union voted to accept the latest Boeing contract and end their weeks-long strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Nov. 4, 2024. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who have twice voted to reject proposed contracts in the past two months. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times
IAM 751 union members wait to hear the result of today's vote whether or not to accept the latest Boeing contract and end their weeks-long strike, at the IAM 751 Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Nov. 4, 2024. The union membership voted to accept the contract and end the strike. The union represents approximately 33,000 machinists who work for the Boeing Company in the Pacific Northwest and who have twice voted to reject proposed contracts in the past two months. Voting and vote counting occurred at multiple locations around the region. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times
Picket signs stand unattended outside the Boeing Company's Seattle Delivery Center after the IAM 751 machinist's union voted to accept Boeing's contract offer and end their weeks-long strike earlier in the day, in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Nov. 4, 2024. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times
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