Boeing factory workers strike for first time in 16 years after voting against new contract

About 33,000 of Boeing’s factory employees stopped working after midnight on Friday following the rejection of a new labor contract.

Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers unveiled the tentative contract on Sunday but it was rejected by workers located in the Seattle, Wash. and in Oregon in a 94.6% vote. 

The workers voted 96% in support of a strike for the first time in 16 years since 2008, according to reports.

IAM District 751 President Jon Holden said workers have dealt with “discriminatory conduct, coercive questioning, unlawful surveillance and we had unlawful promise of benefits.”

Boeing has experienced challenges with production as well as aircraft safety issues.