Business | Aviation
Boeing workers go on strike after rejecting contract
Boeing's 27,000-strong machinists' union walked off the job on Saturday after the plane-maker failed to improve its contract offer following two days of emergency talks.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:03 September 8, 2008
New York/Everett : Boeing's 27,000-strong machinists' union walked off the job on Saturday after the plane-maker failed to improve its contract offer following two days of emergency talks.
"Despite meeting late into the night and throughout the day, continued contract talks with the Boeing company did not address our issues," Tom Wroblewski, the international union's Seattle-area president, said in a letter to members. "The strike is on."
The walkout means there will be no further production of Boeing's 737, 747, 767 and 777 planes, and that its already delayed 787 Dreamliner will fall even further behind schedule.
By midday on Saturday, a couple dozen people had gathered near the gates of Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington, calmly waving picket signs at drivers who would honk or shout support.
Union members said they expect a bigger showing on the picket lines today without the distraction of a sunny weekend.
The vast majority of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' members voted to reject Boeing's "best and final" offer on Wednesday, but postponed a strike for 48 hours.
Boeing and IAM negotiators, along with federal mediators, met in a last-ditch effort to end disagreements over wage increases, healthcare contributions and the company's outsourcing policy.
"Over the past two days, Boeing, the union and the federal mediator worked hard in pursuing... options that could lead to an agreement. Unfortunately the differences were too great to close," Scott Carson, head of Boeing's commercial plane unit, said.
No further talks are scheduled. Both sides said they were waiting for the other to make the first move.
Share this article
More from Aviation
More from Business
Popular in Business
Business Editor's choice
-
UAE companies in full force at WTM
Seventy-eight participants are from Dubai and 50 from Abu Dhabi
-
DIFC committed to high standards
Ensures an efficient process to serve the business community
-
Sweet life in the Middle East
A sweet look at the confectionary industry in the UAE and Middle East
-
General
Precious jump
Gold prices at new high as India's central bank buys $6.7b worth of gold
