Boeing machinists end strike, return to work

Unionized machinists at Boeing have voted to accept a contract offer, ending a strike that lasted over seven weeks. Fifty-nine per cent of members approved the deal, which includes a 38% pay raise over four years and productivity bonuses. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said: “It is time for our members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory.” The ratification allows Boeing to resume production of its bestselling airliner, which had been halted due to the strike. The average annual pay for machinists will rise from $75,608 to $119,309 under the new contract. Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg has indicated that production could take “a couple of weeks” to restart as some workers may require retraining. A prolonged strike could have worsened Boeing’s financial situation. The company plans to lay off about 10% of its workforce due to various challenges.