Boeing union endorses sweetened contract deal after nearly 7 weeks on strike

• Boeing union workers have been on strike for nearly 7 weeks due to a dispute on wage increases.
• The planemaker proposed a sweetened deal that includes a 38% pay increase over 4 years, the union said.
• Union leaders said it is recommending workers to approve the deal on Monday.

Boeing union leaders are endorsing a sweetened contract offered by the airplane maker, signaling an end to a nearly seven-week strike that put a halt to the company's manufacturing operations.

The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, or IAM, said in a social media post on Thursday evening that Boeing had offered a new contract that includes a 38% raise over four years. The union said it is endorsing the contract and recommends that its members approve the deal during Monday's vote.

"We encourage all of our employees to learn more about the improved offer and vote on Monday, Nov. 4," a Boeing spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider.

The spokesperson noted that the new deal improves on the company's previous offer of a 35% raise over four years.

The new contract also stipulates a $12,000 ratification bonus, up from $7,000 in the previous proposal.

A representative for the IAM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Boeing machinists have been on strike since September 13 after workers rejected a proposal to raise pay by 25% over four years. Union members demanded a 40% raise.

The IAM represents over 32,000 workers in the Pacific Northwest.

Boeing's last strike was in 2008 and lasted nearly two months, causing billions of dollars in depressed revenue, the company said at the time.

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