Aircraft assembly workers at Boeing factories near Seattle went on strike early Friday after union members voted to reject a proposed contract that would have increased wages by 25% over four years. The strike, involving 33,000 Boeing machinists, began at 12:01 a.m. PDT following a vote where 94.6% of workers rejected the contract and 96% approved the work stoppage.
The striking workers, who assemble Boeing's 737 Max, 777, and 767 cargo planes in Washington state, are demanding higher pay and the restoration of traditional pensions. The rejected contract fell short of the union's initial demand for 40% pay raises over three years but would have raised average annual salaries from $75,608 to $106,350 by the end of the four-year period.
Boeing expressed readiness to resume negotiations, stating that the tentative agreement was not acceptable to the workers. The strike is expected to impact the production of Boeing's best-selling aircraft but will not affect commercial flights.
The labor action comes amidst a challenging year for Boeing, marked by manufacturing issues and federal investigations. The company's financial struggles have been compounded by setbacks, including a recent incident where NASA astronauts were left in space due to problems with a Boeing spacecraft.
The strike poses a significant challenge for Boeing's new CEO, who is tasked with revitalizing the company's fortunes after years of financial losses. The head of the union emphasized that the strike is about respect, past concessions, and securing a better future for the workers.
