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Boeing has restarted production of its 737 MAX aircraft in Washington following a 52-day strike by machinists that concluded on November 4. According to an exclusive report by Reuters, the manufacturing lines for the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 resumed operations on December 6. Boeing has not yet commented on this development.
The labor action, involving approximately 33,000 workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 751 and District W24 union, ended with an agreement for a general wage increase of 38% and a $12,000 ratification bonus. Workers returned between November 6 and November 12 after approving the new contract terms.
Before the strike ended, Kelly Ortberg, Boeing's president and CEO, remarked on the challenges ahead: “Once we get back, we have the task of restarting the factories and the supply chain, and it's much harder to turn this on than it is to turn it off.” Ortberg emphasized safety and quality management as critical components in resuming production.
