©(Jason Redmond / AFP)
Several thousand machinists employed by Boeing in the Seattle area of the northwestern United States voted on Wednesday to go on strike if wage negotiations fail in September.
Thousands of Boeing hourly workers voted in Seattle to authorize a potential labor strike if ongoing contract negotiations stumble, a union statement said Wednesday.
The result was generally expected but came on top of renewed scrutiny Boeing is facing after a series of troubles including a January incident in which a fuselage door plug blew out during a flight.
"We want the company to take our proposals seriously and bargain earnestly," said Jon Holden, President of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751.
The initial vote -- which passed nearly unanimously -- provides advance notice to the union so members receive strike benefits if they vote to strike on September 12.
This comes before union members see a proposed contract. A second vote would be required on September 12 to strike if members reject the contract.
The local unit represents more than 30,000 people working at Boeing plants in nearby Renton, where the US aerospace giant's 737 is assembled, and also in Everett, where the 777 is put together.
A strike would freeze activity at both factories.
The two sides began talks in March on a new contract to replace an agreement that has been in place for 16 years. That contract expires at midnight on September 12.
Boeing said in a statement: "We remain confident we can reach a deal that balances the needs of our employees and the business realities we face as a company."
Holden has demanded a "substantial" salary hike of at least 40 percent, as well as provisions for health care, retirement and job security.
with AFP
Thousands of Boeing hourly workers voted in Seattle to authorize a potential labor strike if ongoing contract negotiations stumble, a union statement said Wednesday.
The result was generally expected but came on top of renewed scrutiny Boeing is facing after a series of troubles including a January incident in which a fuselage door plug blew out during a flight.
"We want the company to take our proposals seriously and bargain earnestly," said Jon Holden, President of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751.
The initial vote -- which passed nearly unanimously -- provides advance notice to the union so members receive strike benefits if they vote to strike on September 12.
This comes before union members see a proposed contract. A second vote would be required on September 12 to strike if members reject the contract.
The local unit represents more than 30,000 people working at Boeing plants in nearby Renton, where the US aerospace giant's 737 is assembled, and also in Everett, where the 777 is put together.
A strike would freeze activity at both factories.
The two sides began talks in March on a new contract to replace an agreement that has been in place for 16 years. That contract expires at midnight on September 12.
Boeing said in a statement: "We remain confident we can reach a deal that balances the needs of our employees and the business realities we face as a company."
Holden has demanded a "substantial" salary hike of at least 40 percent, as well as provisions for health care, retirement and job security.
with AFP
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