Boeing machinists voted to end their seven-week strike by accepting a contract offer, paving the way for the company to resume production of its bestselling airliner. The deal includes pay raises of 38% over four years, as well as ratification and productivity bonuses. However, Boeing did not agree to the demand to restore the frozen company pension plan. The contract was approved on the eve of Election Day, allowing the major US manufacturer to restart production in the Pacific Northwest.
Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, expressed his satisfaction with reaching an agreement following what he described as difficult months for the company. He emphasized the need for teamwork and collaboration to regain the excellence that has defined Boeing. The 33,000 workers represented by the union are expected to return to work by November 12, with some requiring retraining before resuming production. The union members had mixed reactions to the contract, with some feeling that despite accepting it, they did not achieve all of their demands, while others viewed it as a positive outcome.
Seattle-based calibration specialist Eep Bolaño, who voted in favor of the contract, expressed disappointment, feeling that the union could have achieved more considering Boeing’s weakened position. Despite this, workers like William Gardiner, a lab lead for Cal-Cert calibration services, were pleased with the outcome of the vote. IAM District 751 leaders endorsed the proposal, stating that they believed they had secured the best possible deal through negotiations and the strike. President Joe Biden congratulated both the machinists and Boeing, highlighting the importance of the contract in supporting fairness in the workplace and improving workers’ ability to retire with dignity.
Continuing the strike would have further jeopardized Boeing’s financial situation and future prospects. Ortberg, who is relatively new to the company, had announced plans to lay off about 10% of the workforce, or approximately 17,000 employees, due to the strike and other factors that have negatively impacted the company’s reputation and financial stability this year. With the contract now approved, workers are set to return to work, enabling Boeing to resume production and overcome the challenges it has faced in recent months. The agreement is deemed crucial for securing Boeing’s position within America’s aerospace sector and ensuring its long-term success.
