Boeing Confronts Second Major Strike as Defense Workers Walk Out
Boeing is currently facing its second significant strike in less than a year. Approximately 3,200 machinists from three defense facilities in Missouri and Illinois initiated the strike early Monday morning. The strike has a direct impact on the production of critical military aircraft, including the F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 voted on Sunday to reject Boeing’s most recent contract offer. The offer proposed a 20% wage increase over a span of four years, along with a $5,000 signing bonus. The union, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the offer, stating that it failed to adequately address their concerns regarding alternative work schedules and compensation.
This event marks the first strike at Boeing’s St. Louis defense operations since 1996. Despite the situation, CEO Kelly Ortberg has downplayed the impact. He stated that the company has implemented contingency plans and that the magnitude of the current strike is “much, much less” than the seven-week commercial aircraft worker strike that occurred last year. It’s worth noting that Boeing’s defense unit contributes to about 30% of the company’s total revenue.
Source: NPR