--:-- [Sound of a podcast intro]
--:-- Host: Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Kate Leinbaugh. It's Wednesday, October 30th.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: Today, we're talking to a family who's been at the heart of the Boeing strike. Tony Merwin and his son Patrick have been on strike for six weeks, along with 33,000 machinists. They're demanding higher wages and pension benefits.
--:-- [Sound of a transition]
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: Tony and Patrick, thanks for joining us today.
--:-- Tony Merwin: Thanks for having us.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: So, let's start with the strike. What was it like to go on strike for the first time?
--:-- Tony Merwin: We were on the picket line the very first night. And I'll be perfectly honest, the energy from the union members was intense. Everyone was excited to fight for their future.
--:-- Patrick Merwin: Determination is what we see with everybody that we've talked to when we're out on the picket line. It's determination. You know, everybody's just tired of the corporate greed.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: Can you tell us a little bit about your family's history with Boeing? You've been working there for four generations, right?
--:-- Tony Merwin: Yeah, that's right. My dad started working at Boeing in the 1960s. He was a gold miner in South Dakota, but after a mining accident, he decided to move to Seattle and work at Boeing.
--:-- Patrick Merwin: And that's when our family's story with Boeing really began. My dad was hired on the spot, and he was able to provide a good life for our family.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: That's amazing. Can you tell us more about what it was like growing up in a Boeing family?
--:-- Tony Merwin: Growing up, Boeing was everything. We wore Boeing clothing, had Boeing logos everywhere in our house. We were incredibly proud to be Boeing.
--:-- Patrick Merwin: And it was a good life. We always had a decent house to live in, and my parents were able to support us well. But it's not like that anymore.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: What do you mean?
--:-- Patrick Merwin: I mean, I've been working at Boeing for six years, and I've only been able to afford a house and a car. But I have to work overtime just to make ends meet. And it's not just me – my kids are struggling too.
--:-- Tony Merwin: That's right. Patrick's kids are struggling to afford basic things like art supplies and a baseball glove.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: I see. And what about you, Tony? You've been working at Boeing for over 30 years. How has your experience changed over time?
--:-- Tony Merwin: Well, I used to be able to afford a good life for my family. I could take vacations, support my kids' activities. But now, I have to work overtime just to make ends meet.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: And what about the strike? What are you hoping to achieve?
--:-- Tony Merwin: We're hoping to get a better deal from Boeing. We want higher wages, pension benefits, and a better work-life balance.
--:-- Patrick Merwin: And we're not alone. Almost two-thirds of union members rejected the last offer from Boeing.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: I see. And what about the financial ramifications of the strike? Are you worried about the impact on Boeing's finances?
--:-- Tony Merwin: Absolutely not. Boeing has been prioritizing shareholder profits over worker benefits for years. They need to get their priorities straight.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: That's a interesting perspective. And finally, what do you think the future holds for Boeing and its workers?
--:-- Patrick Merwin: It's shaky. If we don't get a better deal, I don't see how we can continue working at Boeing.
--:-- Tony Merwin: I want to see Boeing go back to being the iconic company it used to be. I want workers to be able to afford a good life without having to work overtime.
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: Well, Tony and Patrick, thanks for sharing your story with us today.
--:-- Tony Merwin: Thanks for having us.
--:-- Patrick Merwin: Thanks.
--:-- [Sound of a transition]
--:-- Kate Leinbaugh: That's all for today, Wednesday, October 30th. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal. Special thanks to Sharon Turlop and Zios Green. Thanks for listening. See you tomorrow.
--:-- [Sound of a podcast outro]
