Interviews with two Deaf Boeing workers after end of strike

Alex: Do you feel relieved to be back to work after the strike ended? It has lasted since September.

Morgan, Q/A Inspector for Boeing 777: It was my first experience in a strike. It lasted for 54 days. No work. It was frustrating but we deserved better pay.

Chris, Boeing 777 Assembler: It was my first time striking. For two months, it was a struggle with bills. I had to budget. Now that we have approved the contract, we can move on.

Alex: You mean that you two were not paid at all during the strike?

Chris: Yes. I had to find some under-table work or find other ways to get money.

Alex: Now that you’ve finished the strike, will you get back pay?

Morgan: The reason is that two months ago, we voted “yes” to do a strike to protect our jobs. If we didn’t vote for a strike, we would have lost our jobs regardless. That’s why we went on strike. We had to be patient to get a good contract. So there’s no back pay. It’s because the previous contract ended on September 12. There has to be a new contract with new pay. So there was a gap.

Alex: So it was painful for a while but now you’re feeling good? You’re getting better pay with a 38% over four years. Does that mean you get like, 12% increases…?

Morgan: To begin, we have a 13% increase. Then next September, we will have a new contract. It begins every September. So next year it will be a 9% increase. In the third year, another 9%. The fourth and last year will be 7%.

Alex: After the strike ended, as you returned to work, did you feel not used to things? Was it empty there?

Morgan: I felt like I was a new hire! When I came back, some parts just stayed in the same place. For 54 days, nothing changed. Wow!

Chris: This is a 777 part. It’s really big.

When I came back, it was overwhelming. My mind was tired. I had to reactivate my mind to learn how to use the computers and working with tools and making it all flow together. It was overwhelming!

Alex: So with the strike, I’m happy that you entered into an agreement. Are there any Deaf-related issues or improvements?

Morgan: Yes. One person who is Deaf has been working hard to try to get the union to be familiar with Deaf people. The union has not really shown awareness of Deaf people. The Boeing company does know Deaf needs, but not the union. Boeing has a contract with an interpreting agency. So if any Deaf worker needs something, they go to the agency and the agency goes to Boeing. Then Boeing approves the payment. But the problem is that the union is unaware. They’re missing out on that loop. The union needs to get involved with Boeing and the interpreting agency. So it’s four of us instead of three of us with the union missing.

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