Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has urged employees not to strike, warning that such action could jeopardize the company’s recovery.
This appeal comes just hours before a crucial union vote that could lead to industrial action at the struggling aviation giant.
Earlier this week, Boeing executives and union representatives negotiated a deal offering a 25% pay increase over four years. However, the agreement still needs to be approved by union members.
If the vote fails, it could trigger a second ballot on whether to initiate a strike, potentially starting as early as Friday.
“I ask you not to sacrifice the opportunity to secure our future together, because of the frustrations of the past,” said Mr Ortberg in his message to staff.
“Working together, I know that we can get back on track, but a strike would put our shared recovery in jeopardy”.
On top of the proposed 25% pay rise, the preliminary deal would offer workers improved healthcare and retirement benefits, as well as 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
It would also include a commitment from Boeing to build its next commercial plane in the Seattle area if the project is started during the lifetime of the contract.
The union initially targeted a number of improvements to workers’ packages, including a 40% pay rise.
However, it appears the reaction from the 30,000 Boeing workers represented by the union was not entirely positive.
Union leader and top negotiator, John Holden, said it was not clear whether the deal had enough support among union members to be approved.
“They are angry,” he told the Reuters news agency.
The current contract between Boeing and the unions was established in 2008 following an eight-week strike.
In 2014, the agreement was extended, but it is set to expire at midnight on Thursday.
Should the preliminary agreement between Boeing and its largest union be rejected, it would represent a significant setback for the company.
A strike could potentially halt aircraft production at a time when Boeing is already grappling with severe financial losses and efforts to repair its reputation after recent incidents and two fatal accidents five years ago.
Such a disruption would also be a major setback for Mr. Ortberg, an aerospace veteran and engineer who assumed the role of Boeing’s CEO last month with the goal of revitalizing the company.