(New York) The union representing Boeing workers currently on strike in the northwest United States said talks with the company ended after their last bargaining session.
In an update posted to social media platforms » on issues important to members – such as a pay rise – and has not given in to calls to reinstate the defined benefit pension scheme which was scrapped 10 years ago.
No further negotiation dates have been scheduled after Friday’s session, led by federal mediators, IAMAW District 751 said. The union added that it remained “open to negotiations with the company, whether direct or through mediation.” In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Saturday, Boeing said it was “ready to meet at any time,” was committed to negotiating in good faith and wanted to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
The aerospace giant released what it described as its “best and final” offer on Monday. The proposal included wage increases of 30% over four years, up from 25% in a deal that union members overwhelmingly rejected when they voted to strike on September 12, but still far short of the union’s initial demand. union by 40% over three years.
Boeing angered union leaders by announcing the revised offer to its striking workers through the media and setting a deadline for ratification Friday evening. Faced with resistance, Boeing backed down and gave the union more time. However, many workers maintained that this latest offer was not enough.
The strike of nearly 33,000 machinists is now in its third week. Negotiations were disrupted with the walkout that halted production of Boeing’s best-selling planes. The strike will not disrupt airline flights in the near future, but it puts more pressure on the company which has already faced a series of financial, legal and mechanical challenges this year.