Striking Boeing workers in Washington state say they’re in it for the long haul

This week Boeing presented what it called its “best and final” offer to the 33,000 machinists who have been on strike for nearly two weeks. The union representing the workers rebuffed the proposal, displeased with its details and how Boeing presented it. Analysts say the union has the upper-hand in negotiations going forward.

Outside the Renton Boeing plant this week, Lori Coleman sat holding her picket sign on a bench in the shade.

Coleman has been at Boeing for 38 years, working as a quality inspector in the wire shop. Like so many people who have worked at the company for decades, Coleman’s life is tied to Boeing.

“I've raised my family at Boeing,” she says, jerking a thumb back at the massive factory building. “We've had some good times, we've had some bad times, and now my son works here.”

This week could be considered one of the bad times.

On Monday, after a little more than a week of striking, Boeing presented a contract offer to workers. But instead of going through the traditional channels of the union’s negotiating team, Boeing posted the plan publicly.

RELATED: Machinist union says it won't vote on Boeing's 'best and final' contract offer

Among other things, it includes a 30% general wage hike and annual bonus program. The company also included a Friday night deadline for the union to ratify the deal.

Soon after, IAM District 751, the union that represents Coleman and others, put out a statement that they would not even hold a vote on the offer.

“It was a cheap shot,” Coleman says about Boeing’s proposal. “They didn't go through mediation. They didn't go through our union. That's the way to do it, going through the union. In my opinion, it was no class. That shows no class.”

Industry analysts say this latest move by Boeing only hurts negotiations and puts the company at a disadvantage.

“Boeing does not have the upper hand here. It’s in a financially precarious position,” says Scott Hamilton, an aviation expert at Leeham Company. “They need their union membership. They need these employees. These are the people who actually create the profits for Boeing.”

RELATED: How Boeing's management is handling a second week of the machinists strike

Hamilton says the way the latest offer was handled disrespects striking workers who are already frustrated with their employer. It’s not just long-time workers like Coleman who are unhappy with Boeing’s offer.

“Disappointed. I don't like the offer,” says Jonathan Harrington who has worked less than two years on the flight line. “I'm going to stay on strike and keep doing what I'm doing until they cooperate.”

People up and down the picket line reaffirmed their commitment to the strike. Most said they’re figuring out how to make some extra money until they return to work.

IAM District 751’s website includes a list of resources for striking workers like how to apply for food stamps, where to find local food banks, and which gig apps are good for temporary work.

“I looked at doing some GrubHub or something like that. Gotta figure something out this week, because I think we're in it for the long haul,” said James Shields outside the Everett plant. “It's probably going to be a couple months, I'm guessing.”

Shields and his wife, Marcelle, have worked at Boeing since 2012. Marcelle’s mother has been with Boeing for 17 years. The couple works opposite shifts and almost never see each other. Marcelle likes to work nights so she can take their two kids, ages 10 and 14, to school in the morning, pick them up in the afternoon, and then head to work at the Everett plant in the evening when James is coming home.

"This is the most time we get to spend with each other, being on strike,” James says, as he throws an arm around Marcelle.

RELATED: Why Boeing workers are (still) striking

He says their family has cut back on expenses like eating out during the strike. The two said they were out on the picket line to fight for higher pay and better benefits to provide for their kids.

“I want to leave something for them when I pass on,” Marcelle says.

Dodji Assila is also picking up side work while on strike. The mechanic, who has only worked at Boeing for six months, says he now gets up at 3 a.m. every day to make deliveries for a food app.

“It's a little bit hard because I didn't plan for this,” Assila says. “It's a little bit hard because you got to pay the bills and stuff like that. But I mean it’s worthy because I know at the end of the strike, I'm going to get something that will help me keep my family safe financially.”

As of Wednesday night, no union vote was planned for Boeing’s latest proposal and it’s unclear when the company might issue a new offer.

When it does, Scott Hamilton says the company should go by the book and go through the union leadership.

“Boeing can't step on its other foot like it did this time and do another direct presentation to the membership, bypassing the negotiating committee,” he says. “That was an incredibly stupid move.”

After blowback from union members this week, a Boeing spokesperson released a statement that, “we believe our employees should have the opportunity to vote on our offer that makes significant improvements in wages and benefits. We’ve reached out to the union to give them more time and offer logistical support once they decide to vote.”

Boeing-lifer Lori Coleman says the company needs to respond with a significantly higher offer if it wants union members to sign on.

“They made people mad by doing what they did. Maybe if they would have gone through the union and went through that way, it might have worked," Coleman says. “Boeing's a great company. At least it was, once.”