Boeing and its striking union were set to resume contract negotiations Wednesday under the watch of federal mediators, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced.
The two parties were to return to the bargaining table after contract negotiations broke down Tuesday. IAMAW said Boeing was unprepared to address issues crucial to union members, namely wages and benefits.
“The company doesn’t seem to be taking mediation seriously,” the union wrote on X Tuesday. “With a 96% strike vote, we thought Boeing would finally understand that IAM 751 Machinists are demanding more. We are fighting for what is right and just — for what we have earned over the past 16 years.”
The Washington Times reached out to Boeing for comment.
Boeing’s union went on strike Friday after rejecting a contract proposal Thursday, despite pleadings from the company’s leadership. The union is demanding a 40% wage increase over four years. The airline is offering a 25% raise.
The strike has halted production on Boeing’s popular 737, 777 and 767 aircraft. The stoppage will delay delivery to airlines, significantly cutting into Boeing’s bottom line. The company has also halted parts orders for many of its planes, which could hurt its suppliers.
The strike, Boeing’s first since 2008, comes during a turbulent year for the company. Boeing suffered a major hit to its credibility in January when the door panel flew off a 737 MAX jet midflight. The incident kicked off a wave of investigations from the Federal Aviation Administration into Boeing’s production methods.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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