Boeing CEO makes final desperate plea before strike vote

Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has urged workers not to go on strike because it would “jeopardize the company’s recovery.”

The decision comes hours before a crucial union vote that could trigger a strike at the embattled company.

The aerospace giant’s executives and union representatives reached a deal earlier this week that includes a 25 percent pay rise over four years, but it has not yet been accepted by union members.

If workers vote against the agreement, it would lead to a second round of voting on whether to go on strike, possibly as early as Friday.

“I ask you not to sacrifice the opportunity to secure our common future because of frustrations from the past,” Mr. Ortberg said in a message to staff.

“I know that by working together we can get back on track, but a strike could threaten our collective economic recovery.”

In addition to the proposed 25 percent raise, the tentative agreement includes improved health care and pension benefits, as well as 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

The agreement would also include a commitment by Boeing to build another commercial airplane in the Seattle area if the project is started during the contract period.

The union initially expected a number of improvements to employee packages, including a 40 percent pay increase.

However, it appears that the reaction from Boeing’s 30,000 workers, represented by the union, has not been entirely positive.

Union leader and chief negotiator John Holden said it was unclear whether the deal would find enough support among union members to approve it.

“They are furious,” he told Reuters.

The current deal between Boeing and unions was reached in 2008 after an eight-week strike.

In 2014, both sides agreed to extend the contract, which is set to expire at midnight on Thursday.

The rejection of a tentative agreement between Boeing and the company’s largest union would be another major setback for the company.

The strike could potentially halt plane production at a time when the company is grappling with mounting financial losses and struggling to rebuild its reputation following recent incidents and two fatal crashes five years ago.

It would also be a huge blow to Mr. Ortberg, an aerospace industry veteran and engineer who took over as Boeing’s chief executive last month with a mission to turn the company around.