Boeing union backs relaxed contract offer that might end strike, sets vote for Monday

Boeing and the employees' union have agreed on a brand new negotiating offer to lift employees' wages and potentially end a crippling strike that began seven weeks ago with a vote on the brand new proposal scheduled for Monday.

The union called on the employees to comply with the contract.

“In every negotiation and every strike, there comes a point where we have gotten everything we can through negotiations and through the restraint of our workforce,” the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 said Thursday. “We are at this point now and risk declining or reduced supply in the future.”

The union said it “would not be right to ask its members to strike for a longer period when we have achieved so many successes.”

Boeing's greater than 32,000 machinists, most of whom are based within the Seattle area, walked off their jobs on Sept. 13 after rejecting a tentative agreement. Earlier this month they rejected one other proposal to increase the strike.

The recent proposal calls for across-the-board wage increases of 38% over 4 years, up from a previous offer of 35%, bringing the wage increases to almost 44%, the union said Thursday. It also gives employees the choice to receive a one-time ratification bonus of $12,000 or elect an earlier offer of a $7,000 ratification bonus and a $5,000 401(k) contribution .

Boeing announced Thursday at the top of the contract that the machinist's salary will average $119,309.

“We encourage all of our employees to learn more about the enhanced offer and to vote on Monday, November 4,” Boeing said in an announcement.

CEO Kelly Ortberg said on his first conference call last week since taking the job in August that the corporate has been “working feverishly to find a solution that works for the company and meets the needs of our employees.” Hours later, employees rejected a negotiated proposal.

Workers have repeatedly pushed for higher compensation than the price of living within the Seattle area — where tech giants are popular Microsoft And Amazon have increased the variety of employees – has increased dramatically in recent times.

The strike has further set back Boeing executives' plans to stabilize the aerospace giant because it reels from the consequences of production deficiencies and the fallout from safety problems, most recently a door stopper that popped off in mid-air from one earlier this 12 months Boeing 737 Max 9 flew out this 12 months.

Boeing lost greater than $6 billion in its most up-to-date quarter and warned it might proceed to burn money through 2025.

The Boeing strike is predicted to affect Friday's U.S. jobs report.

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