Thousands of Boeing employees go on strike: 30,000 workers to walk off the job at 10:00

Employees of the aviation giant Boeing have overwhelmingly rejected a contract reached between the union and the US aerospace giant that included a 25 percent wage increase.

More than 30,000 workers who manufacture aircraft, including the 737 Max and 777, in Seattle and Portland are walking off the job today at 10:00 AM Turkish time.

The strike is seen as another setback for Boeing, which is facing deepening financial losses as it tries to repair its reputation, which has been damaged by a series of safety issues, including two fatal crashes.

The strike is also a major blow to Boeing's new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, who was appointed last month.

96 PERCENT OF UNION MEMBERS SUPPORTED THE STRIKE

According to a BBC report, nearly 95 percent of union members who voted on the deal rejected the wage agreement, while 96 percent supported the strike.

Jon Holden, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751, said, "Our members spoke loud and clear tonight."

Greg Waldron, Asia managing editor for aviation news site FlightGlobal, said, "There is never a good time for a strike, at least from management's perspective, and the current situation makes this even more problematic."

40 PERCENT WAGE INCREASE

The preliminary agreement rejected by the workers included a 25 percent wage increase over four years, as well as a commitment from Boeing to build its next commercial aircraft in the Seattle area if the project begins during the term of the contract.

The union had initially targeted a series of improvements, including a 40 percent wage increase in the workers' package.

The current contract between Boeing and the unions was reached in 2008 following an eight-week strike.

The two sides had agreed in 2014 to extend the agreement, which was set to expire at midnight on Thursday.

News Source: 12punto