Boeing factory workers overwhelmingly rejected a new union agreement with the company and went on strike early Friday morning.
About 33,000 machinists went on strike on the West Coast just after midnight after the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union began the walkout. 94.6 percent announced 96% of workers voted against the proposal and 96% in favor of striking.
The work strike will put a financial strain on the well-known aircraft maker, which has struggled to repair its reputation since a door plug on a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft exploded during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, prompting regulatory action and a congressional investigation.
Kelly Ortberg, who became Boeing's president early last month, sent a message to workers on Wednesday urging them to accept the contract that includes a 25% wage increase over the next four years.
“It's no secret that Boeing is going through a difficult time in its business, due in part to its own past failures,” Ortberg wrote.
“We know we can get back on track, but strikes would jeopardize our shared recovery, further erode trust with customers and undermine our ability to define our future together.”
“The message is clear: the tentative agreement we reached with the IAM leadership will not be accepted by member states,” Boeing said in a statement early Friday.
“We remain committed to rebuilding our relationships with our employees and unions and are ready to return to the negotiating table to reach a new agreement,” Boeing said in a statement.
The Hill has reached out to IAM for comment.
