SEATTLE (AP) — Boeing has withdrawn a contract offer that would have given striking workers 30% raises over four years after talks broke down.
The manufacturer said that it had boosted its offer for union workers for take-home pay and retirement benefits during two days of negotiations.
“Unfortunately, the union did not seriously consider our proposals. Instead, the union made non-negotiable demands far in excess of what can be accepted if we are to remain competitive as a business,” Boeing said in a prepared statement. “Given that position, further negotiations do not make sense at this point and our offer has been withdrawn.”
The union said that it surveyed its members after receiving Boeing's most recent offer, and it was rejected overwhelmingly.
“Your negotiating committee attempted to address multiple priorities that could have led to an offer we could bring to a vote, but the company wasn’t willing to move in our direction,” the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 said in a message to members.
The union complained last month that Boeing had publicized its latest offer to 33,000 striking workers without first bargaining with union negotiators.
The offer was more generous than the one that was overwhelmingly rejected when the workers went on strike Sept. 13. The first proposal included 25% raises. The union originally demanded 40% over three years. Boeing said average annual pay for machinists would rise from $75,608 now to $111,155 at the end of the four-year contract.
The union represents factory workers who assemble some of the company’s best-selling planes.
The strike is stretching on as Boeing deals with multiple other issues. It has shut down production of 737s, 777s and 767s. Work on 787s continues with nonunion workers in South Carolina.
Shares of Boeing Co., which is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, fell early 2% before the opening bell Wednesday and the stock is down 41% this year.
FILE - The Boeing logo is displayed at the company's factory Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
LONDON (AP) — That long-held Wimbledon tradition of line judges dressed in elegant uniforms is no more.
The All England Club announced Wednesday that artificial intelligence will be used to make the ‘out’ and ‘fault’ calls at the championships from 2025.
Wimbledon organizers said the decision to adopt live electronic line calling was made following extensive testing at the 2024 tournament and “builds on the existing ball-tracking and line-calling technology that has been in place for many years.”
“We consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating,” said Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club. “For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour.”
Bolton said Wimbledon had a responsibility to “balance tradition and innovation."
“Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating set-up at the championships for many decades,” she said, "and we recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”
Line-calling technology has long been used at Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments to call whether serves are in or out.
The All England Club also said Wednesday that the ladies' and gentlemen’s singles finals will be scheduled to take place at the later time of 4 p.m. local time on the second Saturday and Sunday, respectively — and after doubles finals on those days.
Bolton said the moves have been made to ensure the day of the finals "builds towards the crescendo of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles finals, with our champions being crowned in front of the largest possible worldwide audience.”
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
FILE - An aerial view of All England Tennis Club on day seven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 8, 2019. (Thomas Lovelock/AELTC via AP, Pool, File)
FILE - A line judge looks as Gael Monfils of France lies on the court after during his third round match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, on July 5, 2024. That long-held Wimbledon tradition of line judges dressed in elegant uniforms is no more. The All England Club has announced that artificial intelligence will be used to make the 'out' and 'fault' calls at the championships from 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
FILE - Line judges concentrate as Russia's Daniil Medvedev plays Britain's Arthur Fery in a first round men's singles match on day three of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. That long-held Wimbledon tradition of line judges dressed in elegant uniforms is no more. The All England Club has announced that artificial intelligence will be used to make the 'out' and 'fault' calls at the championships from 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
FILE - Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka jokes with a line judge in his Men's singles match against United States' Reilly Opelka during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 3, 2019. That long-held Wimbledon tradition of line judges dressed in elegant uniforms is no more. The All England Club has announced that artificial intelligence will be used to make the 'out' and 'fault' calls at the championships from 2025.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
