By David Shepardson
(Reuters) -A union representing striking machinists at Boeing (NYSE:) said on Friday it is “actively engaged in indirect discussions” with the plane maker facilitated by acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su.
“We are fully committed to these conversations. It is our responsibility to try to reach a resolution,” the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 751 said in a social media post.
About 33,000 of Boeing’s unionized West Coast workers, most of them in Washington state, have been on strike since September 13, demanding a 40% pay increase over four years and a restoration of workers’ promised pensions . The work stoppage has halted production of the aircraft manufacturer’s best-selling 737 MAX and widebodies 767 and 777.
The talks are the first sign of movement in the more than month-old strike since Boeing on October 8 withdrew its enhanced offer, which included a 30% pay increase over four years, after talks that included federal mediators. failed. Boeing subsequently filed an unfair labor practice suit against the union.
Boeing declined to comment Friday.
On Monday, Su was in Seattle for her first in-person effort to secure a new Boeing contract, returning Thursday evening to resume efforts after a trip to Detroit.
A spokesperson for Su said Friday that the secretary “is currently in Seattle conducting discussions with both parties. She has met with the CEO and the union and has been in contact multiple times throughout the process.”
Last Friday, Boeing announced it would cut 17,000 jobs, or 10% of its global workforce, and incur $5 billion in costs, continuing a year of tumult for the company since a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 plane had an emergency in the air.
Boeing on Tuesday announced a period of up to $25 billion in equity and debt issuances over the next three years, as well as a $10 billion credit agreement.
In September, nearly 95% of West Coast workers rejected Boeing’s contract offer for a 25% pay increase over four years, prompting the strike.
