Manufacturing Giant Boeing Faces Weeks-Long Recovery After Strike
The recent machinists’ strike at Boeing has finally come to an end, but the aerospace company is now facing a lengthy recovery process. Over 32,000 machinists are set to return to work by Tuesday, following the approval of a new contract that includes significant pay raises and benefits. However, getting production back on track will take several weeks, according to the company.
Strike Impact on Production
The strike, which began on September 13, brought most of Boeing’s aircraft production to a grinding halt. As a result, the company delivered only 14 jetliners in October, the lowest number since November 2020. Nine of these deliveries were 737 Max aircraft, which were handled by non-striking workers.
Restarting Production
As workers return to their duties, Boeing must prioritize safety and assess potential hazards. The company will also need to reassign machinist duties, ensure all training qualifications are current, and review safety requirements. This process will take time, as CEO Kelly Ortberg emphasized during the company’s quarterly call last month. “It’s much harder to turn this on than it is to turn it off,” he said. “So it’s absolutely critical that we do this right.”
Production Resumes
Boeing is restarting production in Washington state and Oregon for the 737 Max, 767, and 777 programs, as well as military versions of its aircraft. Notably, production of the 787 Dreamliner continued uninterrupted during the strike, as it is manufactured in a nonunion factory in South Carolina.
Orders and Deliveries
Despite the strike, Boeing secured 63 gross orders in October, just shy of September’s total. The company also delivered 10 787 Dreamliners to LATAM Airlines. The strike may have paused production, but it didn’t slow down Boeing’s sales efforts.
Road to Recovery
As Boeing works to get back to full production capacity, the company faces a significant challenge. However, with its skilled workforce returning and a strong order book, Boeing is poised to recover from this setback and continue delivering top-notch aircraft to customers around the world.
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