Striking Boeing workers urge CEO to "truly engage" after loss of health coverage

The largest union for Boeing employees on Tuesday called on newly appointed CEO Kelly Ortberg to make more direct contact with union officials to try to end a strike by some 33,000 US West Coast workers after the aerospace company cancelled their healthcare benefits.

In August, the former Rockwell Collins executive took over Boeing, which has been hit by several crises this year, including a walkout that has hobbled the production of its best-selling 737 MAX jets.

"It’s time for the new CEO to truly engage at the proposal-based level and to take the reins from his subordinates who are fumbling critical decisions like this one," said Brian Bryant, president of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and Aerospace Workers, which represents the striking workers.

"There is no reason the health benefits question could not have been punted on to allow more time for negotiations at the table," Bryant added in a statement.

The deadline for striking workers to tap into their Boeing health insurance plans was Sept. 30, which had been known for some time. The union advised its members Monday to look elsewhere for coverage.

Talks between Boeing and IAM's District 751, which is negotiating the contract, fell apart last week, with no sign of how soon they will resume.

"We remain committed to resetting our relationship with our represented employees and negotiating in good faith, and want to reach an agreement as soon as possible," Boeing said in a statement.

Boeing workers in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, walked out for the first time since 2008 on Sept. 13, disrupting production of three of the company's most important commercial aeroplane models and adding financial strain to the planemaker.

The union is seeking a 40 per cent pay increase as well as the revival of a defined benefit pension that was taken away in the contract a decade ago.

Boeing made its best and final offer last week that would provide employees with a 30 per cent pay increase over four years and restore the performance bonus. However, a member survey by the union said this was not enough.