Boeing’s striking factory workers voted to reject the company’s latest contract on Wednesday night and extend their work stoppage—which began six weeks ago—in a major blow to the plane maker, which reported a $6 billion quarterly loss on Wednesday.
People hold sings during a strike rally for the International Association of Machinists and ... [+]
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)—the union representing the striking workers—said Boeing’s latest offer was rejected by 64% of its members who voted on it.
Jon Holden, the local president of the IAM union, said in a statement they had made “tremendous gains” in the latest tentative agreement in areas that were important to the workers but added they have not “achieved enough” to meet all their demands.
Holden said the union’s members would “continue to stand on the line, picketing for the contract they deserve…and we will work to get back to the bargaining table.”
According to the Seattle Times, Holden said the negotiators will attempt to push Boeing more on issues it had refused to budge on—including a 40% wage increase, additional vacation and sick leave and the reinstatement of a pension plan.
Boeing has not yet commented on the rejection of the contract by the striking workers.
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"This contract struggle began over ten years ago when the company overreached and created a wound that may never heal for many members…We have prepared for years to bring this membership back to a position of power and leverage, and we are there tonight. These negotiations, this strike, today’s vote - it’s a culmination of everything for many people, filled with emotions,” Holden said.