Boeing Strike Comes to a Close

Boeing’s longest labor dispute in the past decade came to a close this past weekend as union machinists returned to work this past Sunday.  The strike cost Boeing an estimated $100 million dollars a day in deferred revenue and further delayed the production of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

So what was the final result of the dispute?  J. Lynn Lunsford, of the Wall Street Journal, had this to say about the situation, “Officials with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said 74% of union members voted Saturday to accept a new contract that includes a 15% increase in wages and improved job security. In a change that will guarantee Boeing a more predictable delivery timeline, the union agreed to extend the contract a year to four years in exchange for increased pay and other concessions.”

Even with the strike ending, Boeing officials predict it will take several weeks for the workforce to get fully up to speed.  Boeing CFO, James Bell, intoned that production would be delayed ‘on a day-for-day’ basis.  Despite the ambiguity, Boeing’s stock share price has climbed dramatically since October 27th, when investors became confident of an impending end to the labor dispute.  Share price has risen from $42.50 to $52.50 since the 27th.

Industry experts estimate that Boeing has missed 70 deliveries due to the 57-day strike.