Watch as Boeing workers vote on whether to strike and shut down aircraft production

Watch as unionised Boeing workers, who produce the plane maker’s strongest-selling jet, are scheduled to vote on whether to accept a new contract, or consider striking for better terms.

The vote on Thursday 12 September is critical for the company which is under pressure to ramp up production of its 737 MAX jet.

A potential strike starting on Friday would be a big early blow to new CEO Kelly Ortberg, who was brought on last month to restore faith in the planemaker after a door panel blew off a near-new 737 MAX jet in mid-air in January.

Starting from 5am PT, roughly 30,000 workers who produce Boeing’s 737 MAX, 767 and 777 jets in the Seattle and Portland areas will vote on their first full contract in 16 years.

Polling will close at 6pm PT and the result will be announced this evening, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said. If a strike is sanctioned, it could start at midnight.

The proposed deal includes a general wage increase of 25 per cent, a $3,000 signing bonus and a pledge to build Boeing’s next commercial jet in the Seattle area, provided the program is launched within the four years of the contract.