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The striking Boeing machinists’ union will vote on a new contract on Monday.

The striking Boeing machinists’ union will vote on a new contract on Monday.

Boeing machinists union leaders approve the company’s latest contract offer, setting the stage for vote on Monday this could end seven week strike.

“Now is the time for our members to build on these gains and confidently declare victory,” said International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 751. statement of agreement late Thursday.

The union, representing 33,000 workers, rejected two previous proposals from the company. The ongoing strike has halted production at the company’s Pacific Northwest plants since September 13.

Boeing’s latest proposal would increase wages by 38% over four years, up from the company’s last offer of 35%, although less than the 40% the union wanted. The new offer also includes a $12,000 ratification bonus, up from $7,000 in previous vote.

But there is one key union demand that Boeing has not given up on. Machinists want company restore the traditional pension system they lost a decade ago, which remains a major source of anger among the union’s rank and file.

Boeing has said it does not want to reinstate its defined benefit pension plan, which it froze in 2014although he has proposed increasing company contributions to union members’ 401(k) pension plans.

However, union leaders are recommending members approve the latest proposal.

“In every negotiation and strike there is a point where we have extracted all we can by negotiating and giving up our work. We are at this point now and risk a regressive or lesser proposal in the future,” union leaders said in a statement.

Union rejected Boeing’s previous offer Last week, 64% of participating members voted against it. The vote took place on the same day the company announced huge loss of 6 billion dollars in the third quarter of the year.

Copyright: NPR 2024