Boeing鈥檚 machinists union leaders are endorsing the company鈥檚 latest contract offer, setting the stage for a that could end the .
鈥淚t is time for our Members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory,鈥� the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 said in late Thursday.
The union, which represents 33,000 workers, voted down two previous proposals from the company. The ongoing strike has halted production at the company鈥檚 factories in the Pacific Northwest since Sept. 13th.
Boeing鈥檚 latest proposal would boost wages by 38% over four years 鈥� up from the company鈥檚 most recent proposal of 35%, though short of the 40% the union wanted. The new offer also includes a $12,000 ratification bonus, up from $7,000 in .
But there is one key union demand where Boeing has not budged. The machinists want the company to they lost a decade ago, which remains a major source of anger among the union鈥檚 rank and file.
Boeing has said it鈥檚 unwilling to restore the defined benefit pension plan that , though it has offered to increase the company鈥檚 contributions to union members鈥� 401(k) retirement plans.
Still, union leaders are recommending that members approve the latest proposal.
鈥淚n every negotiation and strike, there is a point where we have extracted everything that we can in bargaining and by withholding our labor. We are at that point now and risk a regressive or lesser offer in the future,鈥� the union's leaders said in their statement.
The union last week, with 64% of members who participated voting against it. The vote was held the same day that the company announced in the third quarter of the year.
In a message to employees on Friday, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg encouraged all union members to vote on the proposal.
"It鈥檚 time we all come back together and focus on rebuilding the business and delivering the world鈥檚 best airplanes," Ortberg wrote. "There are a lot of people depending on us."
Copyright 2024 NPR
