The 1948 Boeing strike was an industrial dispute which lasted 20 weeks, from April 22 to September 13.
In 1945 president of the company Philip G. Johnson died and William McPherson Allen took his place.
The president William McPherson Allen decided to temporarily shut down the activities and to lay off 25,000 workers.
[1] To save the company, Allen announced that he was going to start making commercial planes.
In October 1946, Boeing declared that the contract between the company and the Union was up for renewal.
[2] Between January and April 1947 both parties met regularly three times a week to discuss the contract.
[2] After the intention was submitted the Union and Boeing tried to talk about the contract but “there remained unsettled questions of Seniority, Hours of Labor, and Wages.” [2] After filing to strike and receiving approval the members of the Union never did so.
The Union then drafted a proposal that discussed the issues the employees were worried about which was seniority, hours of labor, and wages.
If this happened Lodge 751 stated that they “reserve the right to take appropriate action including a work stoppage.”[2] Boeing rejected the offer on April 21, 1948.
Allen declared the strike illegal and proceeded to have multiple lawsuits over the fact.
The result of the strike set back Boeing with their orders about 1.25 billion dollars.
Boeing was then forced to hire about 50,000 to make for lost time and pushing out orders.