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In
an update posted on social media platforms X and Facebook, a
regional district of the International Association of Machinists
and Aerospace Workers asserted late Friday that Boeing "would
not engage substantively” on key issues important to members —
such as higher pay — and didn't budge on calls to restore a
defined-benefit pension that was axed 10 years ago.
No further negotiation dates were scheduled after Friday's
session led by federal mediators, IAM District 751 said. The
union added that it remained “open to talks with the company,
either direct or mediated.”
In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Saturday, Boeing
said it was “prepared to meet at any time,” committed to
bargaining in good faith and wanted to reach an agreement as
soon as possible.
The aerospace giant on Monday issued what it termed its “best
and final” offer. The proposal included pay raises of 30% over
four years — up from 25% in a deal that union members
overwhelmingly rejected when they voted to strike on Sept. 12,
but still far below the union's original demand of 40% over
three years.
Boeing angered union leaders by announcing the revised offer to
its striking workers through the media and setting a Friday
night deadline for ratification. In light of pushback, Boeing
backed down and gave the union more time. However, many workers
have maintained the latest offer wasn’t good enough.
The strike by nearly 33,000 machinists now is in its third week,
and negotiations also stalled earlier in the walkout that has
halted production of Boeing's best-selling airplanes. The strike
will not disrupt airline flights anytime soon, but has put more
pressure on a company that has already faced a series of
financial, legal and mechanical challenges this year.
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