Boeing US factory workers strike after rejecting 25% pay increase

Boeing’s US west coast factory workers have walked out on early Friday, September 13, after 96% voted in favour of strike action the previous day. The workers based in Seattle and Portland produce the 737 MAX aircraft. The 33,000 workers – represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 751 & W24 – had reached a tentative agreement with Boeing, which would have saw a 25% wage increase for the workers over a four year contract, with an immediate 11% pay increase. However, 94.6% of members rejected the contract. The union had originally called for a 40% pay increase.