BENGALURU – Boeing increased its wage proposal to tens of thousands of striking workers on Sept 23, offering a 30 per cent general wage increase over four years in what it called its “best and final” offer as a work stoppage that began on Sept 13 drags on.
The US plane maker also offered to reinstate a performance bonus, improve retirement benefits and double a ratification bonus to US$6,000 (S$7,700) if the workers accept the offer by Sept 27, according to a letter sent to union officials by the company.
It is unclear if the new proposal will satisfy the more than 32,000 Boeing workers in Portland and the Seattle area who walked out in Boeing’s first strike since 2008. The workers, who have sought 40 per cent higher pay as well as the restoration of the performance bonus, rejected a previous offer by the company.
Mr Brian Bryan, the president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said the union is reviewing the company’s latest proposal.
The union represents the workers who build Boeing’s best-selling 737 MAX and other jets.
Boeing is under intensifying pressure to end the strike, which could cost it several billion dollars, fraying the company’s already-strained finances and threatening a downgrade of its credit rating. The two sides ceased bargaining last week.
A company spokesperson said on Sept 23 that “after listening to our employees and their concerns, Boeing today presented our best and final offer” to union leaders.
Boeing’s commercial planes chief Stephanie Pope had told workers before the strike that the company had held nothing back, and that its offer at that time was the best deal they would get.
Mr Bryan said in a statement: “Employees knew Boeing executives could do better, and this shows the workers were
