Oregon Public Broadcasting

Dozens of workers are on the picket line for a second day outside the Boeing plant in Gresham.  For many of them, this is the fourth time they’ve time they’ve walked off the job in a strike.  Pete Springer reports.

David Leeth holds a picket sign as he walks the sidewalk. 

He’s worked for Boeing for the last 33 years. 

This is his fourth strike and he says his reasons are pretty much the same each time.

David Leeth: “The main issue with us is the health care.  Wages has never been a part of mine, ‘course I’m retiring next year so, of course retirement is real interesting and the health benefits.  That’s my main reason.”

Several other workers also said the strike is not over wages.

Rather they’re concerned about long-term benefits for all employees as well as the wording of the contract that Boeing has proposed.

The company is offering an 11-percent wage hike over three years.

Strikers say they’ll picket 24-7 outside the Gresham plant until the dispute is settled.

More than 20,000 Boeing workers are on strike in the Seattle area. 

A company spokesman says no one benefits from a strike.