By Matt Underwood Boeing St. Louis defense workers set to strike from Monday after rejecting the latest offer, and it seems like there’s a lot to unpack here. It’s a pretty big deal when a workforce votes to walk out, and it underscores some serious issues. The whole situation is likely to cause some significant disruption, especially given the nature of their work – building fighter jets.
One of the biggest sticking points, it appears, was the proposed alternative workweek schedule. Boeing wanted to introduce flexibility, allowing employees to choose between four 10-hour shifts from Monday to Friday or three 12-hour shifts from Friday to Monday. This sounds like a big shift, and the comments suggest that the employees had some serious reservations. It’s easy to see why; imagine the fatigue that comes with consistently working 12-hour days, especially in a physically or mentally demanding job. Plus, the disruption to your work-life balance is pretty significant when your schedule is constantly changing.
The potential impact of these long shifts on sleep patterns and overall well-being is another thing to consider. Many comments highlight how such a schedule can really mess up your sleep, which in turn affects work performance and quality of life. You can’t underestimate the importance of consistent sleep and a reasonable work-life balance when you’re building something as complex and crucial as a fighter jet. The feeling is that it’s much better to be on a more “traditional” shift pattern.
And what about the way this was being rolled out? It sounds like the language used by Boeing was a little vague, leading to confusion and uncertainty. There were concerns about the schedule being “voluntary” for some but not others, especially the new hires. Also, the workers were wary about the intention behind phasing out the standard 5-8’s. The language included also pointed to “phasing out” the standard shifts.
The wage increase proposal also played a significant part in this. Boeing’s original offer of a 20% general wage increase over four years works out to around 5% a year. In the current inflationary climate, which is pretty high, this is barely keeping pace with the cost of living. It’s understandable that the workers would feel this isn’t enough to keep them afloat and reward their skills. It’s a tough environment for workers right now, so you can’t blame them for wanting more to keep up.
It’s also important to note that many defense and government contractors already employ these alternative work schedules. So, the concerns aren’t necessarily about the concept itself but likely the specific implementation, the lack of clarity, and the perceived impact on their lives. It is suggested in the comments that “you will be volun-told” if all the slots were not filled.
Looking at the comments, it’s clear that there’s a wide range of experiences with alternative work schedules. Some people have had great experiences with 4-10s, while others found 3-12s to be extremely tiring. There is a general consensus, however, that consistency is key. Knowing your schedule in advance, being able to bid for shifts, and having a clear understanding of how the schedule will affect your pay and time off are all important factors.
Boeing’s efforts to recruit new workers to replace potential strikers are worth noting. It indicates a strategic move to maintain production even in the event of a strike. However, it’s a sign of potential difficulties for Boeing, as experienced workers may not be easily replaced, especially when it comes to complex tasks like assembling fighter jets. And who knows what impact it will have on the new recruits?
Ultimately, this strike is a symptom of a larger issue – the need for fair wages, reasonable working conditions, and a clear understanding between employers and employees. The outcome of this strike will not only affect the Boeing St. Louis defense workers but also send a message to the defense industry, that it is critical to value and take care of its workforce. The company’s wording that they will not implement AWS until 2026 to “ensure we get it right” gives a glimmer of hope that Boeing may consider the workers’ concerns as a crucial factor going forward. The outcome of this strike will be a significant indicator of where these labor disputes will lead, and how these situations will be resolved in the future.