Written by Alison Lampert and David Shepherdson
(Reuters) – Boeing Co.’s largest union on Tuesday urged new CEO Kelly Ortberg to be more involved in contract negotiations to end a strike by about 33,000 U.S. West Coast workers over the cancellation of health benefits. did.
In August, former President Rockwell Collins took over the reins of Boeing. The company has been hit by multiple crises this year, including a strike that hit production of Boeing Co.’s best-selling 737 MAX jet.
Brian Bryant, president of the International Institute of Machinists (IAM) and Aerospace Association, said, “It’s time for a new CEO to truly work on a proposal-based level and take the reins of his subordinates who are fumbling with important decisions like this one.” I’ve come,” he said. Workers, representing striking workers.
Bryant added in a statement: “There is no reason why the health interest issue could not be used to give more time to negotiations at the table.”
It has long been known that there is a Sept. 30 limit for striking workers to enroll in Boeing’s health insurance plan, and the union on Monday called on workers to find an alternative.
Talks with IAM’s District 751, which is negotiating the deal with Boeing, broke down last week, but it’s unclear when talks will resume.
“We remain committed to resetting our relationship with our representative employees and negotiating in good faith, and we look forward to reaching an agreement as soon as possible,” Boeing said in a statement.
Boeing workers in the Seattle area and Portland, Oregon, were fired on September 13 in the first union strike since 2008, halting production of three commercial aircraft models and increasing financial strain on the plane maker.
The union is demanding a 40% pay rise and reinstatement of the defined benefit pension that was taken away in the contract 10 years ago.
Last week, Boeing offered striking workers what it called the “best and last” improvement plan. The deal would give workers a 30% pay rise over four years and reinstate performance bonuses, but the union said a survey of its members found: It wasn’t enough.
(Reporting by Alison Lampert in Montreal and David Shepherdson in Washington; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
