Strike or Quit? Lessons from the Boeing Strike & My HR Journey
It all begins with an idea.
The Boeing strike has been all over my news feed lately, and while most people see headlines about unions, contracts, and defense production delays… I see something else entirely. I see the same core issue I’ve faced in my own HR career — trust. Whether it’s 3,200 union members walking out of a Boeing plant or a small team refusing to work until payroll clears, the story is the same: when trust breaks, work stops.
And I’ve lived it all — from late-payment standoffs, to laying off 200 people in one gut-wrenching day, to my far more lighthearted trips to the Boeing shop on 36th Street for some goodies.
Big company or small business, union or not, the lesson is the same:
if you want to keep your team, you need to keep their trust.
The Boeing Strike: Union Power in Action
It all begins with an idea.
When 3,200 people put down their tools, it’s not about drama — it’s about sending a message.
The Boeing defense strike in August 2025 isn’t just a headline; it’s a turning point. It’s the first for this side of the company in nearly 30 years, and it’s fueled by more than pay disputes — it’s about respect, safety, and being heard.
They turned down a deal with a 20% raise, a $5,000 bonus, and benefit adjustments. Why? Because for many, the real issue wasn’t just the numbers — it was about being listened to. And they have a union to give them a voice. That means collective bargaining power, legal backing, and strength in numbers.
Small Business Reality: No Union, No Picket Line
It all begins with an idea.
Now imagine the same frustration… without a union, cameras, or headlines.
In small businesses, unhappy employees don’t organize a walkout. They quit. Or they quietly stop working until you fix the problem. I’ve been there — facing a looming deadline and a suddenly silent desk because payroll was late. No chants, no signs, just a very awkward one-on-one.
The absence of a union changes everything. There’s no committee, no vote, no collective negotiation. Just the leader and the employee, sitting across from each other, both feeling the pressure
My HR Playbook for Avoiding Strikes and Sudden Exits
It all begins with an idea.
Whether you’re managing thousands with a union or a handful without one, the rules don’t change.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.