Say it ain’t so, Boeing!
The ongoing strike is the culmination of Boeing’s unresolved managerial and production issues that began with the 737 MAX crisis. Workers are striking over pay and deteriorating working conditions, issues that worsened after the pandemic and the fallout from the 737 MAX disasters. Boeing’s leadership has struggled to restore trust, not only with its workforce but also with customers and regulators, while continuing to grapple with supply chain disruptions and delays in key programs like the Starliner.
As production remains stalled, these problems feed into each other, further deepening Boeing’s financial troubles and slowing its recovery. The strike reflects deeper, long-standing challenges in Boeing’s management and operations that have been simmering since the 737 MAX crisis. If these issues aren’t resolved soon, Boeing’s ability to bounce back and compete could be in serious jeopardy, and that matters not just for the company but for the entire U.S. economy.
Boeing is a major player in the U.S. economy, employing tens of thousands of workers and contributing billions in exports through its commercial and defense divisions. If Boeing falters, it could have a ripple effect across the aerospace supply chain, impact thousands of jobs, and reduce U.S. competitiveness in global markets, especially as rivals like Airbus continue to gain ground. The stakes go beyond just Boeing—the company’s future is intertwined with the health of the American economy itself.