Following a vote on Wednesday, 33,000 workers at Boeing have decided to continue their strike after rejecting an offer from the company. The International Association of Machinists announced that 64% of its members voted against the deal, falling short of the majority needed to end the strike.
Jon Holden, president of the largest IAM local at Boeing, expressed that the members deserve more and that they will return to the negotiating table to pursue their goals. Boeing has not yet provided a response to the vote outcome.
The proposed offer included a 35% wage increase over the four-year contract period, with an immediate 12% raise. Additionally, it offered a $7,000 signing bonus, enhanced retirement contributions, and job security assurances, ensuring the next commercial jet would be built at a unionized facility.
Despite the improvements in the offer, union leadership refrained from endorsing it fully, stating that it presented key enhancements and deserved consideration by the members. The rejection of the previous tentative agreement by the rank-and-file members led to the initiation of the strike on September 13.
