A union representing 33,000 striking Boeing workers has reacted with anger at what the aircraft-maker called its “best and final” pay offer of a 30% rise over four years.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Boeing’s largest union, declined to put the offer to a vote, saying the proposal was not negotiated with the union and it fell short of members’ demands.
The US aeroplane maker offered to reinstate a performance bonus, improve retirement benefits and double a ratification bonus to $6,000 (£4,500) if the workers accepted the offer by Friday.
However, in a post on Facebook, the union said the offer was “thrown at us without any discussion”. It added that while the negotiating team was still reviewing the details, Boeing sent the offer directly to all members and the media.
“Let us be absolutely clear: this is a non-negotiated offer from Boeing,” the union wrote. “These direct dealing tactics are a huge mistake, damage the negotiation process, and attempt to go around and bypass your union negotiating committee.” It added that the proposal “does not go far enough”.
“They are trying to drive a wedge between our members and weaken our solidarity with this divisive strategy. This tactic is a blatant show of disrespect to you – our members – and the bargaining process,” the IAM wrote.
It said it had asked Boeing to engage in direct talks or a mediated discussion, but the company had refused to meet for further discussion, “therefore, we will not be voting on [27 September]”.
Jon Holden, the president of IAM District 751 and the union’s lead negotiator with Boeing, said: “Logistically we don’t have the ability to set up a vote for 33,000 people in a few days like that anyway. Plus, it missed the mark on many of the things our members said were important to them.”
Boeing said its latest offer, made after unsuccessful federal mediation last week, made significant improvements and addressed demands from the union and employees. “We first presented the offer to the union and then transparently shared the details with employees,” the company added.
Boeing is due to deliver 30 737 Max jets to Ryanair by next June. Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said: “Boeing are telling us that the strike will delay aircraft deliveries by the length of the strike plus two or three weeks.”
He said Boeing had assured Ryanair the jets would be delivered, as planned, by next June if the strike ended within three to four weeks.“We’re not sure, though, that we necessarily believe that, but we have no choice other than to work with Boeing once the strike is over to help them to increase production and catch up the three, four, five, six weeks of delays,” O’Leary said.
About 33,000 workers at Boeing in Washington and Oregon began striking on 13 September. Employees voted 96% in favour of the strike after rejecting a tentative agreement that included 25% wage increases over the four-year contract, but workers argued that came with strings attached.
The new chief executive of Boeing, Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, is attempting to turn around the struggling aeroplane maker as it fights to repair its reputation and shore up the business. He is handling the aftermath of a cabin panel blowout in January, which precipitated the company’s biggest safety crisis since two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.
