The labor union representing striking Boeing factory workers in the Pacific Northwest is set to resume negotiations with the company on Friday. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ regional district anticipates discussions with Boeing alongside federal mediators. Following a hiatus following two days of mediated sessions more than a week ago, the union is prepared to address critical issues members have highlighted as instrumental in reaching a mutual agreement.
District 751 of the machinists’ union expressed readiness for the opportunity to engage in dialogue and emphasized the importance of negotiations as the pathway to resolving the ongoing strike. Boeing confirmed the impending talks on Friday, signaling a potential breakthrough. This comes after the aerospace giant’s announcement of a revised contract to its 33,000 striking workers through the media, causing consternation among union leaders. Boeing had previously set a deadline for ratification by Friday night.
Boeing’s latest offer, described as the “best and final,” entails a pay raise of 30% over four years, up from the initial 25% proposed in a deal previously rejected by union members at the onset of the strike two weeks ago. The union had initially demanded a 40% pay increase over three years. With the revised offer, Boeing aims to elevate the average annual pay for machinists from $75,608 to $111,155 by the end of the four-year contract, all while maintaining annual bonuses linked to productivity.
Facing resistance from the union, Boeing extended the timeline for the union to consider the revised proposal following the initial backlash. Nevertheless, a significant number of workers voiced concerns that the latest offer fell short, especially considering the escalated living costs in the Puget Sound area compared to negotiations 16 years ago. Boein, navigating financial, legal, and mechanical challenges this year, is eager to conclude the costly walkout that has halted production of its popular airline planes.
The strike has resulted in the suspension of production for Boeing 737s, 767s, and 777s, prompting the company to implement cost-saving measures such as temporary furloughs for thousands of nonunion managers and employees. With negotiations set to resume, there is hope for a resolution that could bring an end to the standoff and allow Boeing to resume production activities.