Boeing’s ongoing labor strike just escalated, with machinists rejecting a new wage deal that included a 35% raise over four years and a $7,000 signing bonus. On Wednesday, 64% of Boeing’s 33,000 machinists voted to continue the strike, which has already halted production for over five weeks, affecting key aircraft models like the 737 MAX and 777.
Workers demand a 40% wage increase and the reinstatement of pensions removed in a 2014 deal. “We’ve been through enough,” union negotiator Jon Holden stated, signaling deep frustrations. With the strike costing Boeing $1 billion monthly, and financial losses piling up, the pressure on CEO Kelly Ortberg, who took over in August, is intensifying. Boeing’s woes extend beyond labor as the pandemic-battered aerospace supply chain also teeters, with suppliers like Spirit AeroSystems warning of potential layoffs if the strike continues into November.
Despite some workers wanting to return, the majority remain firm. “We have better legs to stand on than Boeing,” one worker declared. With no resolution in sight, this battle between Boeing and its machinists is shaping up to be a defining moment for the company’s future.
