EVERETT, Wash. — The sound of dissent erupted from Boeing's Everett production line Monday.
Barely 24 hours after the machinists union and Boeing leadership announced a "historic" contract deal, machinists held a brief but noisy protest hoping to get the attention of both company leadership and their own union heads.
On Sunday, Boeing's President of Commercial Airplanes, Stephanie Pope, released a video statement touting the tentative agreement.
"We've heard what's important to you for the new contract and we have reached a tentative agreement with the union on an historic offer that takes care of you and your family," she said.
The company is offering a four-year contract that will see wages rise 25% during that time.
The union wanted a 40% increase.
Boeing is offering bonuses of $3,000, lower health care premiums and increased 401k contributions.
The company also committed to building its next plane in Washington state.
Among the sticking points is Boeing's refusal to restore a pension plan that was eliminated in 2014.
A former union member told KING 5 workers feel the company took too much away back then and they are trying to regain lost ground.
Over 33,000 strong, the machinists are Boeing's biggest union and are using their power to push for greater concessions at a time when the company has been making ugly headlines, including an incident involving a door that blew off an Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight.
If workers were to strike, it could cost the company dearly. A 10-week walkout in 1995 cost Boeing $100 million a day.
The company has seen six straight years of losses and has hemorrhaged $27 billion since 2019.
In her recorded statement Sunday, Stephanie Pope seemed eager to get a deal approved.
"Let's make a commitment to come together on this new contract so we can continue our recovery and build a bright future together," she said.
A vote on the tentative agreement is set for Thursday.
The union could also vote to authorize a strike at that time -- potentially shutting down airplane production in Washington.
A spokesperson for Boeing declined to comment about the demonstration.