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Boeing concerns will not erode workers' preparedness to strike, union states

Boeing's financial and production challenges following a January midair panel blowout will not alter its employees' preparedness to strike to make gains in bargaining, a union local president stated on Thursday.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Employees (IAM), which represents more than 30,000 Washington state workers constructing Boeing jets, wants much better retirement advantages and wage boosts going beyond 40% over three to four years after what it termed years of stagnant revenues.

We are going to optimize this opportunity no matter what, Jon Holden, president of the IAM's District 751 representing the Seattle-area employees, stated in an interview with .

Our members desire an arrangement, they want a great contract but they are willing to strike if they have to.

IAM employees are arranged to elect a strike authorization required on July 17, but they can not strike before the agreement ends on Sept. 12.

Boeing did not respond to a request for talk about the union's possible strike plans.

The planemaker is trying to manage a sprawling crisis that emerged after a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX jet on Jan. 5.

Boeing's primary monetary officer stated last month the company would burn rather than create cash in 2024 and deliveries would not increase in the 2nd quarter.

Workers held a noisy rally on Tuesday at Boeing's Renton plant outside Seattle, accompanying a media check out to showcase quality enhancements at the factory.

Holden stated the IAM's talks with Boeing have not resolved any significant points yet and the planemaker has pressed back on union needs for greater salaries and to get a seat on the company's board of directors.

They're not open to it at this point, he stated of the board seat. However it is very important for us to continue to push due to the fact that it has to do with ensuring that those at the greatest level of this business understand that they are missing the voice of workers.

U.S. investigators on Thursday approved the planemaker for exposing details of a probe into the panel blowout occurrence at the media event, prompting Boeing to ask forgiveness.

Holden stated he was not aware of changes at the Renton factory described by Boeing to reporters and had actually not yet seen the planemaker's 90-day plan to improve quality that has been sent to the Federal Air Travel Administration.

He stated he expected to get a copy of the plan and had actually held earlier discussions with Boeing as it was being developed.

I don't see a difference, Holden stated of factory modifications. I haven't seen the 90-day plan yet. We're still trying to get a. copy of it.

Boeing stated in a declaration that it had actually hosted Holden in its. factory several times to walk him through its security and. quality strategy and to listen to his concerns and feedback.

(source: Reuters)