Boeing has withdrawn its offer to increase pay by 30 percent for 33,000 workers who are on strike. This decision comes after weeks of difficult negotiations with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the union representing these employees. The union had rejected Boeing’s latest offer, which would have increased take-home pay and retirement benefits over four years.
Boeing’s offer included a raise that would have boosted the average worker’s salary from $75,608 to $111,155 over four years. The company said it made a generous offer, but the union was demanding more than the company could afford. Boeing explained that continuing negotiations didn’t make sense since the union wasn’t willing to compromise. As a result, Boeing officially withdrew the offer.
In addition to withdrawing the offer, Boeing filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing the union of not negotiating fairly. This comes after the union also filed a similar complaint against Boeing last month. Boeing said it felt it had to file the complaint to make sure the NLRB understood what had happened over the past few weeks.
The strike began on September 13 and is now in its fifth week. It has caused major disruptions at Boeing, halting production of important airplanes like the 737, 777, and 767.
Boeing is also dealing with other challenges, including lawsuits and safety investigations after incidents with some of its airplanes. The company’s stock has dropped by 41 percent this year as it faces growing financial pressure.
The debacle with the astronauts at the ISS has not helped matters either.
Both sides—Boeing and the union—seem to be stuck in a difficult situation with no clear solution in sight. The complaints filed with the NLRB could play a key role in how this labor dispute is resolved, but for now, the strike continues with no end in sight.
