Boeing, Deere, Steel Firms in Union Talks

Boeing, Deere, U.S. Steel, and Cleveland-Cliffs are all engaged in contract negotiations with their respective labor unions. The talks aim to address worker demands and prevent potential strikes, with some discussions already proving contentious following rejected offers.

Boeing Engineers Set Strike Deadline

Boeing and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace will resume contract negotiations on September 8. This follows a vote where workers rejected a four-year offer and authorized a potential strike across five states. More than 17,000 aerospace engineers and technical workers in Washington, Kansas, Oregon, Utah, and California are represented.

Top priorities from a union survey include large, guaranteed wage increases and bigger wage pools for performance-based raises. Workers also seek annual cost-of-living adjustments, increased 401(k) contributions, and a company commitment to grow its union-backed workforce.

In late July, Boeing offered two four-year agreements covering 13,000 scientists and engineers and 4,000 technicians, analysts, and planners. The union endorsed the offers, but workers rejected them by roughly two-thirds and three-quarters votes. Contracts expire on October 6, setting a potential strike deadline. "We appreciated getting a deeper dive on the survey results which gave us a better understanding of our employees’ priorities," Boeing stated. The company added it heard clearly that "there is more work to do to rebuild trust."

Steelworkers Secure Negotiation Extension

The United Steelworkers union has agreed to a 30-day extension of its labor contracts with Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel. The original agreements expired at midnight on Tuesday, covering tens of thousands of steel workers. The extension allows more time to negotiate wages, benefits, and job security.

"The USW remains committed to reaching strong agreements that recognize the contributions of union members and protect the future of good, family-supported steel jobs," said USW International President Roxanne Brown. The union represents about 11,000 U.S. Steel workers and 14,000 Cleveland-Cliffs workers at domestic facilities.

Deere Workers Reject Early Extension

United Auto Workers members voted to reject a two-year extension offer from Deere & Co. last week. This sets up potentially heated negotiations before the contract expires next year. "The company failed to make an offer that addressed the issues weighing on the minds of our members, especially job security," said UAW President Shawn Fain on August 23.

Deere's proposal, made in July, would have extended the current agreement through 2029. It included healthcare, a cost-of-living adjustment, pension benefits, and additional compensation. The company cited market uncertainty and down equipment demand as reasons to avoid early negotiations. The union saw this as an attempt to dodge bargaining. Deere said the UAW's counteroffer exceeded its proposal by roughly half a billion dollars.

"We see the same industry conditions Deere sees," said Laura Dickerson, UAW vice president, on July 31. "We also see Deere’s corporate ledger. We see shareholders enjoying the 'continuity' of collecting the rewards of our members’ hard work." Workers ultimately rejected the offer. A Deere spokesperson expressed disappointment, noting demand remains well below 2021 levels and competition is intensifying. The union represents an estimated 10,000 Deere workers across three states.