The deal is time-critical and has to be accepted by the workers before the midnight Pacific time deadline on Friday 27 September. If the 30,000 workers accept the offer the manufacturer will give them a one-time signing bonus of $6000.
However, Boeing hopes that a divide and conquer approach will win the day as the company has bypassed the union representing thousands of the striking workers. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) confirmed the offer was not negotiated with them and that "it was thrown at us without any discussion". The company sent the offer directly to union members and not the union itself. Boeing also informed the media of the offer before the union.
According to some at the firm, Boeing has been trying to deunionize its plants for several years, often with underhand methods such as trying to besmirch union representatives' characters.
The union says Boeings self-proclaimed "best and final offer" will not be put to its members before the company's deadline.
