Ending a strike involving more than 30,000 Boeing workers in the Seattle area is a “top priority” for the aviation giant, Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg said in a message to staff on Friday.
His note comes as the strike — which has shut down assembly plants for the 737 MAX and 777 — enters its second week.
“Ending the strike is a top priority,” Ortberg said.
“In mediation with the union this week, we continued our good faith efforts to engage the union’s bargaining committee in meaningful negotiations,” he added.
“We remain very committed to reaching an agreement as soon as possible that recognizes the hard work of our employees and ends the work stoppage in the Pacific Northwest,” Ortberg said.
However, he noted that the company was “disappointed that the discussions did not lead to more progress”.
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Members of International Union of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers (IAM) District 751 had voted overwhelmingly on September 12 to reject a new contract, walking out hours later.
Their main demands include a 40% wage increase.
That’s significantly higher than the 25 percent increase Boeing has been touting, but workers see the figure as misleading because the deal would also eliminate an annual bonus.
Union members have complained of nearly stagnant wages for more than a decade, a problem exacerbated by consumer inflation in recent years and the higher cost of living in the Seattle area, which is a growing tech hub.
On Wednesday, Boeing announced it would begin layoffs of professional and clerical staff as it seeks to conserve cash amid a workers’ strike.
While both sides resumed talks on Tuesday with the help of mediators, the IAM said late Wednesday that the talks had ended without results.
Source: AFP