Boeing and Seattle-Area Union Postpone Contract Negotiations Amid 737-9 Grounding

Boeing and the Seattle-area machinists union, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751, have postponed the start of their contract negotiations to early March. This delay comes as Boeing addresses the challenges surrounding the grounding of its 737-9 aircraft.

Initially scheduled for early February, these formal negotiations were deferred at Boeing’s request, as communicated by the union on its website.

Both Boeing and IAM District 751 are currently involved as parties in the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. This inquiry is focused on a midair cabin panel blowout incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737-9 earlier this month.

Boeing, in a statement, emphasized its commitment to addressing the 737-9’s quality issues, expressing an intention to “bargain in good faith later this year.”

The current contract between IAM District 751 and Boeing is set to expire at midnight on September 12. IAM District 751 represents approximately 31,000 workers in the Puget Sound region of Washington, playing a critical role in Boeing’s operations.

This development signifies a strategic pause for Boeing as it navigates through the complexities of the 737-9 situation, while also preparing for crucial labor negotiations impacting thousands of its employees.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com