More than 99% of workers in Boeing's Washington factory union voted to authorize a strike on Wednesday local time, as they held their first comprehensive negotiations with the aircraft manufacturer in 16 years, seeking a 40% pay increase.
Boeing's union at the Washington state factory announced on Wednesday local time that more than 99% of workers voted to authorize a strike because they are seeking a 40% pay increase in their first comprehensive negotiations with the aircraft manufacturer in 16 years.
Earlier that day, many of the roughly 0.03 million workers who manufacture Boeing 737 MAX and other jet aircrafts gathered at T-Mobile Park in Seattle to vote, but they cannot strike before the contract expires on September 12.
Boeing's labor negotiations came at a time when the American aircraft manufacturer is lagging behind Airbus (EADSY.US) competitively, and on January 5th of this year, an incident where the cabin door fell off a 737 MAX jet of Alaska Airlines (ALK.US) put Boeing in a crisis. In addition, this aircraft manufacturer faces other problems.
Jon Holden, the local president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents Boeing's workers, said Boeing's management's wrong decisions are jeopardizing workers' livelihoods.
"Our jobs, legacy, and reputation are all now in jeopardy." Holden said in a statement.
When asked to comment on the voting results, Boeing referenced a statement released earlier this week, saying, "We still believe we can reach an agreement that balances the needs of our employees with the business realities we face as a company."
Although the vote was seen as procedural, the union still held the event in various ways.
"It did give the negotiating committee the power it needs and it did send a strong message," Holden said in an earlier interview.
In recent times, North American unions have taken advantage of the tight labor market to win huge contracts at the negotiating table, with airline pilots, auto workers, and others winning large pay increases.
IAM said the company's financial and production challenges will not change workers' readiness to strike when necessary.
It is reported that Boeing has over 0.066 million employees living and working in Washington state, who participate in projects such as the MAX, 767, and 777 wide-body jet, accounting for the largest proportion among the company's global workforce.