STORY: Boeing workers striking outside the plane maker’s 737 factory near Seattle on Monday were skeptical about a new contract offer that includes a 35% pay raise casting doubt on whether a crucial vote this week will end a costly five-week standoff.
Boeing says it looks forward to its employees voting on the proposal on Wednesday.
However, some of the 33,000 workers on strike were pessimistic.
“I have seen the new contract. It’s looking better. You know, it’s not quite there. I’m going to if it passes, I’m okay. But I don’t think it’s going to pass.”
“I think it’s a decent contract, but I think it’s not what we asked for. And I feel like the contract, it’s not going to push the company forward for longevity in the long run.”
The striking workers make up 95% of the company’s machinists.
The union has been seeking a 40% pay hike and a pension workers had lost in 2014.
Boeing’s latest offer on Saturday includes a $7,000 ratification bonus, reinstated incentive plan and enhanced contributions to workers’ 401ks but the proposed pay rise falls short at 35%.
The union’s leaders caught flak from members for agreeing to an earlier proposal that its members opposed.
It has not explicitly endorsed the company’slatest offer, only telling members over the weekend it was ‘worthy of your consideration.’
Analysts estimate the wage hikes may cost Boeing a billion dollars or more.
And even if union members accept the new contract, the plane maker faces the challenge of ramping up production to pre-strike levels once workers return.
One analyst at RBC Capital Markets told Reuters that by their estimates based on previous strikes, it takes an average of 6-12 months for production to hit its stride again.
The strike has halted production of Boeing’s best-selling 737 MAX jets as well as two of its wide-body models.
Boeing shares rose 3% on Monday on hopes for an agreement.
Wednesday’s vote coincides with Boeing’s third-quarter results, which are expected to show a significant loss.
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