Boeing’s newly appointed CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has urgently appealed to employees to refrain from striking, warning that such action could jeopardize the company’s recovery efforts. This plea comes just hours before a critical union vote that could initiate industrial action at the struggling aviation giant.
Earlier this week, Boeing executives and union representatives negotiated a tentative agreement that proposes a 25% salary increase over the next four years. However, this proposal still requires approval from union members.
If the workforce rejects the deal, a subsequent vote could be scheduled as early as Friday to determine whether to proceed with a strike.
“I urge you not to sacrifice the opportunity for a unified future due to past frustrations,” Ortberg stated in his communication to the team. “By collaborating, we can get back on the right path, but a strike would compromise our collective recovery.”
The current contract between Boeing and the unions was established in 2008 following an eight-week strike. In 2014, the agreement was extended, but it is set to expire at midnight on Thursday.
As Boeing grapples with escalating financial losses, the company is also attempting to mend its reputation after facing scrutiny from previous incidents and two fatal accidents five years ago.
