Boeing faces fresh strike threats in US, workers serve 7-day ultimatum in 2 fighter jet factories

Members of the union representing workers who assemble Boeing fighter jets have rejected a new contract proposed by the US aircraft manufacturer, paving the way for possible strikes. The company have already been facing numerous scrutiny with its aircraft being involved in numerous crashes and accidents.

“IAM Union members delivered a clear message: the proposal from Boeing Defence fell short of addressing the priorities and sacrifices of the skilled… workforce,” the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said in a statement.

It is pertinent to note that more than 3,200 members of the union who are employed at Boeing facilities in the midwestern states of Missouri and Illinois rejected the company’s contract offer. They noted that their contract expires at the end of the day on Sunday.

What happens after the contract expires

After the deadline, the workers who are part of the IAM branch 837 will go on strike if no deal is reached with the aerospace giant in the next seven days. The strike could cause a serious blow to the company, which already struggled with a seven-week-long walkout by Seattle-based workers last year. The 2024 strikes crippled two of Boeing’s major assembly plants.

“We’re disappointed our employees voted down the richest contract offer we’ve ever presented to IAM 837, which addressed all their stated priorities,” said Dan Gillian, vice-president of Boeing Air Dominance and general manager of the site in St. Louis, Missouri.

While speaking to AFP, Gillian revealed that no talks were scheduled with the union, and the company was “preparing for a strike.” As per the reports, Boeing’s proposal included a 20 per cent pay increase over four years and more vacation days.

However, members working at the St. Louis and Mascoutah, Illinois, argued that the deal did not meet their needs and did not guarantee a “secure future,” the union said in the statement. Boeing is yet to respond to the group’s rejection.

With inputs from AFP.