The work stoppage involving 33,000 machinists will not disrupt commercial flights immediately but was expected to shut down production of Boeing's best-selling airliners, presenting another setback for a company already in trouble.
went on strike on Friday at Boeing factories in Washington, Oregon and California after union members overwhelmingly rejected a tentative contract that would have increased wages by 25 per cent over four years.
Shortly after midnight, workers stood outside the Boeing factory in Renton, Washington, with signs reading, "Historic contract my ass" and "Have you seen the damn housing prices?" Car horns honked and a boom box played songs such as Twisted Sister'sSeveral workers were upset by a recent company decision to change the criteria on which annual bonuses are paid.
However, the offer fell short of the union's initial demand for pay raises of 40 per cent over three years. The union also wanted to restore traditional pensions that were axed a decade ago but settled for an increase in new Boeing contributions to employee 401 retirement accounts of up to $4160 per worker.
A driver holds a sign out their window as they drive by Boeing workers picketing after union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer and go on strike Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, outside the company's factory in Renton, Wash That will be another challenge for new Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who six weeks ago was given the job of turning around a company that has lost more than $US25 billion in the last six years and fallen behind European rival Airbus.
"For Boeing, it is no secret that our business is in a difficult period, in part due to our own mistakes in the past," he said.
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