Boeing firefighters have been locked out by the aerospace company for six days in a contract dispute. The negotiations between Boeing and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local I-66 representing 125 firefighters at some of the company’s commercial plane factories broke down last week.
Boeing locked out its firefighters and hired replacements on May 4 after workers rejected pay offers that their union described as 20% below the average at other fire departments in the Puget Sound region. Lt. Jon Riggsby, a union official and firefighter, expressed concerns about safety being compromised for Boeing employees on the picket line in Auburn.
The main issue in the dispute, according to Riggsby, is centered around pay. Boeing claims to have offered an attractive package with significant pay increases and increased benefits. However, Riggsby disputes this, stating that the information about the contract offer doesn’t align with reality.
President Joe Biden has called on both sides to return to the negotiating table to secure a deal that benefits Boeing and gets the firefighters the pay and benefits they deserve. Biden is visiting Seattle Friday afternoon for campaign events, as further talks between the two parties have not been announced.
