ST. LOUIS — Boeing and union-represented machinists in St. Louis were no closer to ending a month-long strike after returning to the negotiating table this week and no new meetings are scheduled.
The groups met Monday, and that afternoon the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers reported “no progress†was made. Boeing and the union, which represents about 3,200 St. Louis-area workers, didn’t meet Tuesday or Wednesday.
The union said Tuesday that Boeing contacted the union’s bargaining committee “to inform us that they have no plans to resume negotiations until after the Labor Day holiday.â€
Kurt LaBelle, spokesperson for Boeing, said Wednesday no negotiations are scheduled.
Union members have rejected two contract offers from Boeing, most recently on Aug. 3. They are pushing for higher wage increases as part of a deal.
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Boeing’ contract offers so far included a 20% general wage increase over four years, though employees at the top of the pay scale would receive lump sum payments instead of raises for part of the contract.
The company says its latest contract offer would raise average wages from $75,000 per year to $102,600 per year.
Workers also want a faster path to the top of the pay scale and are pressing for better 401(K) benefits.
Boeing had offered a $5,000 ratification bonus to workers if they approved the contract offer by Aug. 3. With the contract unapproved, the bonus is now off the table.
A group of passengers have sued United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, claiming they paid more to sit in "window" seats that weren't actually next to windows. The lawsuits, filed separately against the two airlines, are seeking millions of dollars in damages for more than one million passengers at each carrier. According to the complaints, there are seats on certain Boeing 737, Boeing 757, and Airbus A321 aircraft that are typically located next to windows. As a result of the positioning of electrical conduits, air conditioning ducts, and other parts, the seats don't actually have windows. “Had plaintiffs and the class members known that the seats they were purchasing (were) windowless, they would not have selected them,†the United complaint said. The lawsuits claim that people purchase window seats for a variety of reasons, such as the view, to keep kids occupied, or to alleviate motion sickness and a fear of flying. If passengers had known that the seats lacked windows, they might not have selected them or paid more for them, according to the complaints.
