Boeing factory workers vote to approve latest contract and end 7-week strike

Topline

Striking Boeing factory workers voted to accept the company’s revised contract offer, which promised bigger pay increases and bonus payments, and to end a seven-week work stoppage, paving the way for a restart of production lines for its key planes. .

IAM District 751 President John Holden greets union members after announcing they voted to pass … (+) new contract offer from Boeing.

Key facts

IN update On social media, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents the striking workers, said 59% of its members voted in favor of the new contract proposal.

Striking drivers can return to work as early as the first shift on Wednesday or no later than November 12, that is, next Tuesday, the statement said.

John Holden, local president of the IAM union, called the new contract a “victory” and added: “We’ve all stuck it out and achieved something we haven’t achieved in 22 years.”

Holden said their job now was to “get back to work and start building airplanes, raise prices and get the company back to financial success.”

The contract offer approved by striking workers includes a 38% raise over four years and a total cash bonus of $12,000, including a $7,000 ratification bonus and a $5,000 contribution to their 401 accounts. k).

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said The company was “pleased to reach a ratified agreement” with the union and added: “There is still a lot of work ahead to return to the excellence that has made Boeing an iconic company.”

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Important Quote

President Joe Biden congratulated the union on reaching the agreement and said, “Over the past four years, we have demonstrated the power of collective bargaining. Good contracts benefit workers, businesses and consumers—and are key to moving the American economy from the middle to the bottom up.”

Large number

33,000. That’s how many Boeing factory workers from the Pacific Northwest region took part in the strike.