Striking workers at Boeing Defence’s facilities in the St. Louis area have voted to approve the company’s latest contract offer, union officials said on Thursday, November 13, bringing an end to a 101-day walkout that disrupted production of key military aircraft, Reuters reported. Members will begin returning to work on Sunday, November 16.
The workforce is responsible for assembling Boeing’s F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets, the T-7 trainer, various munitions, and wing sections for the 777X commercial aircraft. The strike, which began on August 4, delayed F-15 deliveries to the US Air Force and slowed progress across several major programmes.
Around 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ District 837 (IAM) had been pushing the company for a higher ratification bonus and improved retirement contributions.
Boeing, however, had declined to make substantial changes to its terms during most of the industrial action.
On Monday, November 10, the company unilaterally updated its offer, reducing the overall bonus but increasing the immediate cash incentive to US$6,000, up from the US$3,000 proposed earlier, according to Reuters.
