Boeing boss makes final appeal to workers ahead of strike vote

Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has urged workers not to strike because it would put the company’s “recovery at risk”.

The incident comes hours before a crucial union vote that could lead to strike action at the troubled company.

Earlier this week, executives and union representatives at the airline giant reached a deal that includes a 25% pay increase over four years but has yet to be approved by union members.

If workers vote against the deal, a second vote on whether to start a strike would be held as early as Friday.

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

“Working together, I know we can get back on track, but a strike would put our shared recovery at risk.”

The current contract between Boeing and the unions was signed in 2008 after an eight-week strike.

In 2014, the two sides agreed to extend the deal, which was set to expire at midnight Thursday.

The incident comes as the company faces mounting financial losses and continues to struggle to restore its reputation following recent incidents and two fatal accidents five years ago.