The strike of US-based global aviation company Boeing employees ended with a 38 percent wage increase after approximately seven weeks.
In the statement made by the International Association of Machinists and Aviation Workers (IAM), it was stated that Boeing’s latest offer, which envisages a 38 percent wage increase over a four-year period, was accepted with a 59 percent majority in the vote held yesterday.
More than 30 thousand Boeing employees who went on strike on September 13 did not accept the 35 percent raise offer agreed upon by the company and the union.
A week ago, workers rejected the aircraft manufacturer’s offer of a 35 percent raise in their salaries within four years and decided to continue the strike.
The offer of a 35 percent salary increase in four years, improved health and retirement benefits, and a $7,000 bonus was rejected by 64 percent of the employees in a vote within the union.
Employees were demanding a 40 percent salary increase and a switch to the old system for pension payments. Boeing’s latest proposal, which envisages a 38 percent wage increase over a four-year period, was accepted with a 59 percent majority in the vote held yesterday.
With the new contract, workers will receive a one-time bonus of 12 thousand dollars, and striking workers must return to work by November 12 at the latest.
The workers’ strike, which lasted nearly seven weeks, brought production of Boeing’s best-selling 737 model and long-range 777 jet to a halt.
Boeing workers were seeking a significant raise this year after agreeing to pay freezes several times over the past 10 years.
However, the company announced on October 12 that it would lay off 10 percent of its employees.
In his message to employees, Boeing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kelly Ortberg noted that the company was in a difficult position and that structural changes needed to be made in order to remain competitive in the long term and provide service to customers.
Stating that they need to adjust workforce levels according to priorities, Ortberg said, “In the coming months, we plan to reduce the size of our total workforce by approximately 10 percent. These reductions will include executives, managers and employees.” He used the expression.
In the news in the US press, it was stated that 17 thousand Boeing employees would be affected by the layoffs.
The company has lost $27 billion since the crashes of its best-selling “737 Max” passenger jets in Indonesia in 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019.
Although Boeing’s revenue is decreasing and its debt is increasing, it is emphasized that the company has an order backlog valued at more than 500 billion dollars.
