Leaders of the IAM union, which represents more than 30,000 workers, urged workers to back the offer, describing it as the best contract they have ever negotiated.
If approved, the deal would be a major achievement for Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, who is under pressure to address the company’s quality and reputational problems.
Boeing workers in the Seattle and Portland region are expected to vote on the deal on Thursday.
A strike can still be called if two-thirds of the union members support it in a separate vote.
In a video message to Boeing employees, the company’s chief operating officer, Stephanie Pope, called the offer “historic.”
If union members ratify it, it would be the first comprehensive labor agreement between the company and unions in 16 years.
The current contract between Boeing and the unions was signed in 2008. after an eight-week strike.
Both sides in 2014 agreed to extend it. It will expire this week.
Although the tentative agreement falls short of the union’s original goal of a 40 percent wage increase, negotiators still praised it and advised members to speak up.
In addition to higher wages, the deal offers workers better terms related to health care and pensions and a commitment by Boeing to assemble the company’s next commercial jet in the Seattle area.
The agreement also gives union members greater influence on safety and quality issues.
2024-09-09 16:29:30