Julie Johnsson at Bloomberg reports Boeing has reached a tentative contract agreement with its striking hourly Workers at its St. Louis-area Defense Factories that improves wages and restores a signing bonus, as it seeks to end a dispute that dragged on for more than a month. The five-year contract offer expands wages by 45% on average, according to Boeing. Members of International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 837 vote on the contract today (Friday, September 12th). Workers walked off at the start of August to secure a better wage deal. Boeing had been able to maintain fighter jet deliveries and flight tests during the Strike, making the dispute less disruptive than the one that closed down much of its civil aircraft production last year and forced Boeing to shore up its finances. The latest agreement contract runs a year longer than Boeing’s initial offer and would provide a 24% average guaranteed wage increase - up from the 20% boost the company first proposed. Workers would also receive a $4,000 ratification bonus. The average wage for Union Members would increase from $75,000 to $109,000, Boeing said in a summary of the deal posted on its website.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Boeing Reaches Tentative Deal With Striking Defense Workers