Boeing Sweetens Offer with 30% Wage Increase, Sparking Union Fury

Sep 24, 2024, 06:30 AM

Boeing employees are back on the picket line as the strike enters its 11th day. The work stoppage by Boeing’s factory workers in the Pacific Northwest just entered its second week. Boeing reinstated the AMPP bonus program and offered a $6,000 ratification bonus to employees. The company plans to offer a 30% wage increase and restore its employee bonus program to improve worker compensation and morale. Boeing sweetened a contract offer for about 33,000 workers at its main Seattle manufacturing hub, seeking to overcome the strike. Boeing substantially raised its contract offer to the Machinists union Monday in an effort to end the strike that threatens to damage the company. Boeing increased its general wage offer to 30%, increased the match of 401(K) to 100% of the first 8% of pay, and continued the automatic 4% company contribution. The new offer demonstrates Boeing’s eagerness to end the strike by about 33,000 machinists that began on September 13. Boeing said the revised offer is contingent on ratification by the end of the day on September 27. The union criticized Boeing’s tactics on the latest offer, stating that Boeing refused to meet the union for further discussion. IAM 751 will not be voting on September 27. Boeing’s latest offer to striking workers sparked union fury. Union negotiators said Boeing's new offer to raise hourly wages for striking workers by 30% did not go far enough to address concerns. Boeing reached out to the union to give them more time and offer logistical support once they decide to vote. Boeing has extended the voting deadline for its largest union to ratify a wage increase offer of 30%, responding to union officials' request for more time. The Seattle Times reported that the union accused Boeing of disrespect by publicizing its final offer without prior communication with the union.