A massive strike involving 33,000 Boeing union members has brought commercial airplane production to a near standstill. This marks the first strike at the aerospace giant in 16 years and could have a significant impact on the US economy.
The workers, represented by the International Association of Machinist (IAM) union, overwhelmingly rejected a proposed four-year contract despite union leadership touting it as the best deal ever negotiated with Boeing. The rejected contract included raises of at least 25% and a job security provision guaranteeing that Boeing’s next commercial jet would be built at a unionized plant.
The strike’s impact could ripple through the supply chain, affecting nearly 10,000 Boeing suppliers across the US. With Boeing employing 150,000 people in the US and contributing an estimated $79 billion annually to the economy, the strike’s duration will be crucial in determining its overall economic consequences.
