Tue Nov 05 10:18:07 UTC 2024: ## Boeing Workers End Strike, Accept Contract Offer After 7 Weeks
**Seattle, Washington** – Boeing factory workers have ended their seven-week strike after voting to accept a new contract offer from the aerospace giant. The agreement, reached on the eve of Election Day, allows Boeing to resume production of its bestselling airliner and generate much-needed revenue.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751, representing 33,000 workers, voted 59% in favor of the deal. The contract includes a 38% wage increase over four years, ratification and productivity bonuses, but does not restore the company pension plan, a key demand of the strikers.
The strike, which began on September 13th, cost Boeing an estimated $50 million per day in lost production. The company was forced to halt production at its Pacific Northwest assembly lines, while a non-union plant in South Carolina continued to manufacture 787s.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, stating that the company will move forward “by listening and working together.” He anticipates a return to full production within a couple of weeks, though retraining for some workers may be required.
Reactions to the contract offer were mixed among union members, with some expressing disappointment that the union couldn’t secure all of its demands. However, many workers, like William Gardiner, celebrated the outcome, recognizing the significant gains achieved through the strike.
President Joe Biden congratulated both the workers and Boeing for reaching an agreement, emphasizing its importance for the future of the aerospace sector. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su played a key role in the negotiations, intervening multiple times to help facilitate a resolution.
The strike marks the first walkout by Boeing machinists since 2008 and is the latest challenge for the company, which has faced numerous setbacks in recent years. These include federal investigations, production limitations, and a $6 billion third-quarter loss.
The new contract, while not fully meeting all union demands, provides much-needed stability for Boeing and signals the beginning of a new chapter for the company.
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