The risk of a strike at Boeing is looming as factory workers express dissatisfaction with a contract offer negotiated by their union with the aircraft manufacturer. The union local representing 33,000 Boeing workers anticipates a rejection of the deal, which includes a 25% raise over four years and a commitment that the next new Boeing airplane will be constructed by union members in Washington state.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in the Seattle area, as well as machinists in other locations in Washington and California, are set to vote on the offer. If the deal is turned down, a strike could commence on Friday.
Union members have taken to social media to voice their discontent with the proposed contract. During a protest at their plant in Everett, Washington, workers chanted for a strike, reflecting their dissatisfaction with the current offer.
Despite the union bargaining committee unanimously endorsing the contract, the union president expressed doubts about securing enough votes for ratification. Boeing has not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.
A potential strike at Boeing would not have an immediate impact on consumers like airline strikes do. However, it would halt production, leading to a delay in delivering jets to airlines with pending orders.
Over the weekend, Boeing and the union local announced a tentative agreement featuring a 25% wage increase to prevent a work stoppage on aircraft production, including the 737 Max and the 777 widebody jet. The deal did not meet the union's initial demands for higher pay raises and pension restoration.
In a message to members, the union president stated that they had achieved the maximum possible through negotiations and recommended accepting the offer to avoid a strike.
A strike would compound the challenges faced by Boeing, which has incurred significant financial losses and is working to address issues in aircraft manufacturing and its defense and space business. The company's shares were down in trading following the news of the potential strike.
