Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Boeing’s machinists rejected a tentative deal that called for 35% raises over four years, signing bonuses, increased benefits for retiree and large contributions to current workers’ retirement accounts. So, the strike against the nation's largest plane manufacturer will continue.
“After 10 years of sacrifices, we still have ground to make up, and we’re hopeful to do so by resuming negotiations promptly,” said Jon Holden, president of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751, and Brandon Bryant, president of IAM District W24, in a joint statement.
Earlier on Wednesday, Boeing posted a $6.2 billion loss for its fiscal third quarter as revenues plunged. New President and CEO Kelly Ortberg put ending the strike as one of the critical issues facing the airplane maker.
“We have been feverishly working to find a solution that works for the company and meets our employees' needs. I met with the union leadership the first week on the job and let them know that I was committed to resetting the relationship,” Ortberg said. “And, I remain committed to getting the team back and improving our relationship, so we don’t become so disconnected in the future.”
Though Boeing has increased raises and other terms since its initial contract offer in September, it hasn’t agreed to restore a company funded pension for existing workers, instead offering better 401(k) matches, and raises remain below the union’s requests.
More than five weeks into the strike, union leaders say workers are prepared to hold out for a better deal.
“Workers across America know what it’s like for a company to take and take – and Boeing workers are saying they are fully and strongly committed to balancing that out by winning back more of what was taken from them by the company for more than a decade.” Holden and Brant said. “Ten years of holding workers back unfortunately cannot be undone quickly or easily, but we will continue to negotiate in good faith until we have made gains that workers feel adequately make up for what the company took from them in the past.”
