Boeing has extended the deadline to vote on its latest “best and final contract offer” to striking Textron Aviation workers in Wichita, Kansas, after it was overwhelmingly rejected by the machinists’ union.
On September 23, 2024, the planemaker presented what it referred to as a “best and final contract offer” to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751 in the hope of settling the strike that has now entered its second week. Boeing said voting on the new deal should be held by 23:59 local time on September 27, 2024.
On the same day, the union said its members would not vote on the ratification by the deadline as it believed the company has not provided enough time to share the details of the offer with the union membership or secure all voting locations. Additionally, the union added that Boeing had wrongly stated that union membership is required to vote.
According to local media reports, Boeing has since dropped the deadline it imposed on voters.
“This strike is affecting our team and our communities, and we believe our employees should have the opportunity to vote on our offer that makes significant improvements in wages and benefits,” Boeing said.
The company added that it has “reached out to the union to give them more time and offer logistical support once they decide to vote”.
However, IAM District 751 said members “are not interested in the company’s latest offer that was sent through the media”.
“We do not and will not negotiate in the press,” the union told its members in a statement issued on September 24, 2024. “We heard you, and you’ve told us loud and clear that this proposal did not go far enough to address our members’ priorities. We have made it clear that we are ready to schedule mediated or direct talks with Boeing as the path to find a resolution to this strike.”