Boeing workers vote to reject collective agreement and extend strike | Labor rights

Almost two thirds of employees reject an offer that includes a 35 percent wage increase.

Boeing workers on the West Coast of the United States have voted to reject the aircraft giant's latest contract offer and extend their nearly six-week strike.

Nearly two-thirds of workers rejected the offer, which provided a 35 percent wage increase over four years but did not restore a defined pension plan that many workers sought, the Seattle branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said X with.

Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751, said the union made “tremendous gains” in negotiations but did not go far enough to meet members’ demands.

“Older members with decades of experience, new members with a few months, and members from diverse backgrounds all stood together to support each other. I am proud of you and your strength,” Holden said in a statement.

“This membership will continue to stand in line and demonstrate for the contract they deserve. There is still a lot to do and we will work to get back to the negotiating table. Our members’ voices are being heard.”

About 33,000 workers have been on strike since mid-September as union members overwhelmingly rejected Boeing's proposal for a new four-year contract.

The labor dispute has crippled operations at two Seattle-area Boeing factories that produce the 737 Max and 777, depriving the company of much-needed cash from its aviation business.

The union vote is another blow to Boeing after a difficult year that brought long-standing concerns about the plane maker's safety and quality standards to the forefront.

The company has been under investigation by multiple agencies since an incident in January in which an Alaska Airlines 737 Max plane lost a door panel mid-flight.

On Wednesday, the company reported a third-quarter loss of more than $6 billion.

Boeing shares fell 1.76 percent after the latest results, adding to the slump that has seen the share price fall nearly 38 percent so far this year.