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Now that Boeing's strike is over, the planemaker faces a massive backlog of orders

Nov 5, 2024
But the problem's industry-wide: Airbus is also dealing with a hefty backlog.
Increased demand and supply chain issues following the pandemic contributed to Boeing's current struggles.
Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

There's a lot riding on Boeing's tentative deal with machinists union

Oct 21, 2024
The machinists union has yet to ratify the new contract, which comes during a tough period for the aviation giant and its suppliers.
The proposed contract that members of the machinists and aerospace workers union will vote on does not include a return to traditional pensions.
Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

Behind Boeing's long decline: "Putting mediocre things together doesn't create a great thing."

Oct 15, 2024
Now, the company has to rebuild trust with workers as well as airline customers who have been canceling orders.
Boeing's downfall can be traced back to the McDonnell-Douglas merger.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Why pensions are part of labor discussions again

Oct 9, 2024
Last year, just 15% of workers had access to pension plans. Now, unionized workers like the ones at Boeing are negotiating to get them back.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker Union District 751 voted to go on strike back in July. Pensions have become a sticking point in contract negotiations.
Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

Boeing is a cautionary tale about current American manufacturing

Oct 4, 2024
Outsourcing work overseas has led to short-term financial gain in return for longer-term losses, like the ability to both make and innovate.
“In Boeing’s case especially, it [outsourcing] ended up more expensive than if it had kind of just stuck with its original culture of manufacturing first," says Jerry Useem, who has written about the company for more than 20 years. Above, Boeing 777s are assembled in its Everett, Washington, facility in 2011.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Boeing strike will be felt throughout the aviation industry

Sep 13, 2024
This strike of more than 30,000 workers comes at a time when Boeing’s already not meeting production goals. And it will also slow the making of everything that goes inside planes, as well.
Boeing machinist union members picket outside a Boeing factory in Renton, Washington.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Boeing's problems extend into orbit. Is space big business for them?

Jul 31, 2024
Boeing has faced scrutiny for the safety of its 737 MAX planes, but problems with its Starliner crew module have also stranded astronauts at the ISS.
Above, Boeing's Starliner launches at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on June 5. Issues with the Starliner have left NASA astronauts stuck on the International Space Station.
Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Amid DOJ fraud suit, Boeing is set to buy back Spirit Aerosystems

Jul 1, 2024
Spinning it off was supposed to boost profits. Buying it back is supposed to help Boeing regain control of the process.
Two recent fatal crashes involving Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts resulted in a DOJ investigation into the plane manufacturer.
Jennifer Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Activist investor says Southwest Airlines is underperforming

Jun 10, 2024
The airline's had a bumpy ride since multitudes of passengers were stranded by bad weather and an aged computer system.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Boeing failures are a case study of America's manufacturing "dark age"

Apr 24, 2024
A century ago, U.S manufacturers were run by engineers. Now leadership suites are distant from factory floors, says journalist Jerry Useem.
Jerry Useem attributes much of America's loss of manufacturing excellence to the replacement of engineers by financial managers in corporate leadership.
Juliette Michel/AFP via Getty Images