On September 3, Boeing's largest labor union rejected a proposed three-year contract and voted to strike. Its leaders gave the planemaker 48 hours to improve its offer and avert a strike that would shut down production lines. The union said Boeing failed to meet demands for much higher wages and pensions, as well as greater job-security and no increases in healthcare costs. 87% of the voting members approved the strike, which would have been the second since 2005.

Boeing has already offered an 11% wage increase over three years, a one-time $2,500 bonus and increases in minimum hourly pay rates.