US Government mediators are to oversee a last-ditch resolution effort between Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers after the union voted to reject the airframer's final contract offer and support a strike.
The union claims workers have voted 87% in favour of a strike, with 80% rejecting Boeing's offer.
But it says it has agreed to give Boeing another 48 hours, under mediation, to improve its offer and avoid a walk-out.
In a message to its union members the IAM negotiation committee says: "They understand that we will not give in. They see how strong you are and now, in an abrupt turnaround, they said: 'Let's get back to the table'. This has never happened in our history and is a testament to your solidarity."
It adds: "As union leaders it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to get a contract that is acceptable to our members short of a strike."
Boeing says the US Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service has asked both sides to meet at a neutral location to explore whether an agreement can be reached.
"We offered employees the best package of pay and benefits in the aerospace industry," says Boeing vice-president of human resources Doug Knight. "We are disappointed with the vote on the contract offer."
The IAM union, which represents nearly 27,000 workers at Boeing plants in the states of Washington, Oregon and Kansas, has agreed to hold off from striking while the mediation proceeds.
"Ultimately the goal is to get a contract and the goal of a strike is to bring the company back to the table," says the committee to the IAM members. "Because of your resolve, Boeing immediately blinked and wants to come back to the table."
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news