Thu Sep 12 14:39:00 UTC 2024: ## Boeing’s 25% Raise Offer to Machinists Faces Rejection, Strike Looms
**Seattle, WA -** Boeing (BA) has offered its machinists a 25% raise in a new union contract, but the deal is facing stiff opposition from the workforce. The 30,000+ machinists, represented by District 751 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), are poised to reject the offer and potentially launch a strike.
The machinists are voting Thursday on the proposed contract, their first full negotiation since 2008. While Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has urged workers to accept the offer, stressing its importance for the company’s future, the union appears set to reject it.
IAM 751 President Jon Holden told the Seattle Times that the 25% raise falls short of the 40% the union had been seeking. “The response from people is it’s not good enough,” he stated. “Right now, I think it will be voted down, and our members will vote to strike.”
This potential strike would follow a similar course of action taken in 2008, when the union walked off the job after failing to ratify the previous contract. In July, a staggering 99.9% of IAM 751 members voted in favor of another strike if necessary.
The strike poses a significant threat to Boeing, particularly as it seeks to ramp up production of its 737 Max jetliners. These planes are manufactured in Washington by the IAM 751 workers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has placed a cap on Boeing’s production following quality control issues, highlighting the company’s need for a stable workforce.
A strike would further disrupt Boeing’s already strained production schedule, potentially impacting its ability to meet global demand for the 737 Max.
The upcoming vote will determine whether Boeing can avert a potentially disruptive strike and secure the workforce it needs to overcome its current challenges.
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