Striking Boeing workers accepted a new draft social agreement Monday evening, ending a more than seven-week walkout by some 33,000 employees in the United States, which cost more than ten billion dollars (around 9 .2 billion euros) to the company and its suppliers.
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After rejecting two offers, IAM-District 751, branch of the machinists' union (IAM), indicated that it had approved by 59% the agreement providing for a salary increase very close to its demands, but not the restoration of the old retirement scheme.
“The strike will end and it is now up to us to get back to work and start building the planes, raise prices and get this company back on the path to financial success,” said Jon Holden, the president of IAM-District 751, during a press conference. “I am proud of our members,” he added. “They have accomplished a lot and we are ready to move forward.”
The project announced Thursday evening includes a salary increase of 38% over the four years of the social agreement. The union demanded 40%. Many employees also hoped for the reestablishment of the guaranteed amount retirement pension system – 42% of current union members had one – which was abolished by a social agreement in 2014 in favor of a capitalization system.
CEO says he is “happy” with the agreement
“I think Boeing can do better. They can give us back our pension and do more in terms of work-life balance,” said Mike Corsetti, quality inspector for 13 years, on Friday. But for Boeing, this backpedaling is inconceivable because “excessively expensive”.
Kelly Ortberg, boss of the group since August, said ” happy “ that an agreement has been reached. “The past few months have been difficult for all of us, but we are on the same team,” he said in a message to employees.
He emphasized “the importance of this moment for our history and for future generations”. “There is much work to be done to recapture the excellence that has made Boeing an iconic company.”
According to the Anderson Economic Group, this is the costliest strike of this century in the United States with more than $11.56 billion in direct impact since September 13, including $6.50 billion in shortfalls. to gain for Boeing and 2.87 billion for its suppliers.
Boeing customers were also waiting for the social conflict to be resolved. Michael O'Leary, boss of Ryanair, estimated on CNBC that delivery and certification delays (737 MAX 7 and 10) will deprive it of 15 million passengers in 2024 and 2025.
