Boeing’s striking workers rejected a new Boeing offer, which included an increase of 35% in pay over four years.
Nearly two thirds (64%) of the members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union (IAM) voted against ‘s proposed deal .
After an initial offer from Boeing was rejected by 95%, more than 30,000 Boeing employees joined the walkout that began on 13 September.
The union stated in a press release: “After ten years of sacrifices we still have ground left to make up. We’re hopeful that we can do this by quickly resuming the negotiations.”
It said: “This workplace democracy is also clear proof that there are consequences for a company that mistreats their workers year after year.”
Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg warned the company that it was at a crossroads as the losses surged to approximately $6bn (PS4.6bn).
Ortberg, who took over as CEO in August, has been “frenziedly” working to stabilize the firm as it works to repair its damaged reputation following concerns about aircraft safety and manufacturing.
He said, “This ship is big and it will take time to turn around, but once it does it can be great again.”
He said that the backlog of 5400 orders for planes meant that the firm would recover.
Ortberg said that Boeing has “a detailed plan for returning to work” and that “he is looking forward to everyone getting back to work and getting on with that plan”.
He said that “fundamental culture changes” were the company’s top priority. “We must prevent issues from festering and better work together to identify, fix, and understand the root cause.”
Spirit AeroSystems (which makes aircraft bodies) announced a 21-day layoff for 700 workers.
It warned that it may have to layoff staff if Boeing’s strike goes beyond the end of next month.
The strikers at Boeing’s Renton, Washington, and Everett, Washington, plants assemble Boeing’s best selling airliner, the 737 Max. They also assemble the 777, 767, and other cargo planes. The strike has not affected the production of Boeing 787 Dreamliners built in South Carolina by non-union employees.
The aircraft manufacturer announced earlier this month that it would cut one-tenth from its global workforce, placing hundreds of Boeing UK employees at risk.
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