Boeing Workers Vote on Controversial Contract Amid Strike Threats

Boeing's West Coast factory workers voted on a criticized new contract, potentially leading to a strike as early as Friday. Approximately 30,000 workers in Seattle and Portland are involved. The proposed contract includes wage increases and bonuses but falls short of worker demands for higher pay and annual bonuses. Boeing's new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, faces mounting pressure as a strike could hinder production and financial recovery.

Boeing's U.S. West Coast factory workers queued in lengthy lines on Thursday to vote on a hotly contested new contract, with some vocally advocating for a strike. This adds pressure on the planemaker, already grappling with chronic production delays and rising debt. A potential strike could commence on Friday, posing an early challenge to new CEO Kelly Ortberg, who was appointed last month to restore confidence in Boeing after a door panel detached mid-air from a new 737 MAX jet in January.

Around 30,000 workers involved in the production of Boeing's 737 MAX, 767, and 777 jets in Seattle and Portland are casting their ballots on their first comprehensive contract in 16 years. Voting will close at 6 p.m. PT, with results announced later this evening, according to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). Should a strike be authorized, it could begin at midnight.

The proposed agreement offers a 25% general wage rise, a $3,000 signing bonus, and a commitment to produce Boeing's next commercial jet in the Seattle area within the next four years. Despite IAM leadership's recommendation to accept the deal, some workers have expressed frustration, seeking the initial 40% pay increase and lamenting the loss of an annual bonus. Boeing faces an uphill struggle as a strike looms, potentially costing billions and delaying its path to recovery.

(With inputs from agencies.)