West Coast-based Boeing workers are set to vote on a controversial contract proposal Thursday to determine if the aerospace company will be hit with a strike.
Workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers will vote on the contract proposal starting at 5 a.m. The 30,000 workers will then have until 6 p.m. to decide if the contract meets their demands.
Thursday’s vote is the first contract vote for the workers in 16 years and if it is rejected the workers could strike as early as Friday morning.
Despite securing the endorsement of Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and the union’s leadership, the contract proposal has frustrated union members who say it doesn’t live up to their expectations.
Workers say the contract should include 40% pay raises, which they originally demanded, and include annual bonuses.
The proposed contract includes a $3,000 signing bonus, a promise to build new Boeing planes in Seattle, and a 25% raise.
Workers have lined up at picket lines at Boeing’s Seattle factories this week, with several urging other union members to reject the contract.
A strike Friday could be a devastating blow to Boeing, which has dealt with near-constant pressure from regulators, workers and the media after a series of safety incidents, including when a door flew off one of its 737 jets in January.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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