Boeing Restarts 737 MAX Production After Prolonged Strike

Boeing 737

After a significant setback caused by a seven-week strike, Boeing, the leading aerospace manufacturer, has recommenced production of its 737 MAX aircraft. The production halt, which ended nearly a month ago, had a marked impact on the company's operations and revenue.

Resuming Operations

Boeing has restarted operations at its Renton, Washington facility and plans to extend production resumption to its Everett plant soon. The Everett facility also handles the production lines for the 767 and 777 aircraft series. According to a company spokesperson who spoke to Metalnomist, Boeing is actively retraining and recertifying its workforce, which was idled during the strike. This process is crucial to ramp up production to the targeted rate of 38 aircraft per month by the year's end, a goal set prior to the work stoppage.

Navigating Industrial Challenges

The strike, which began on September 13, was led by more than 32,000 machinists represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). It significantly disrupted production at Boeing's key Washington factories, hitting the company's revenue streams hard. Following intense negotiations, union members ratified a new labor contract on November 5, allowing them to return to work by November 12. This development is pivotal as Boeing aims to stabilize production and fulfill its backlog of orders for the globally popular 737 MAX.