Boeing
has reportedly restarted 737 MAX production in Washington after a 52-day strike by its machinists that ended on November 4.
Restarting 737 MAX production
In an exclusive report by Reuters, the publication, citing sources familiar with the matter, said that Boeing has restarted the production of the 737 MAX 8
and 737 MAX 9
on December 6. Simple Flying has approached Boeing for comment.
In a previous interview with Reuters, Mike Whitaker, the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA
), said that the plane maker had not restarted its production lines after the weeks-long strike by its machinists, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 751 and District W24 union.
Photo: Jonathan Hendry | Simple Flying
The labor action ended on November 4, with the 33,000 striking workers having returned to work between November 6 and November 12. The 52-day strike concluded after the union’s members agreed to a new contract that will result in a general wage increase (GWI) of 38%, with a ratification bonus of $12,000 that IAM-represented machinists could have chosen to be added to their 401(k), paid out in cash, or a combination of both.
Related
Boeing Still Not Producing 737 MAX Planes 1 Month After Strike Ends
Over a month after the machinist strike at Boeing ended, why is 737 MAX production still halted?
Turning on the supply chains
Before the strike ended, Kelly Ortberg, the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Boeing, delivered his remarks about the company’s Q3 performance and short-term plans once the strike ended on October 23.
“Once we get back, we have the task of restarting the factories and the supply chain, and it’s much harder to turn this on than it is to turn it off.”
According to the executive, it was critical that the manufacturer ensured that the process of restarting production would be done right, with its safety and quality management systems guiding it through the restart.
Photo: Ian Dewar Photography l Shutterstock
In November, shortly after the plane maker indicated that it had delivered 14 aircraft in October, a Boeing spokesperson told Simple Flying that the company would “safely and methodically restart operations in Washington and Oregon” to build commercial and military aircraft.
“It will be several weeks before we fully restart airplane production as we take the necessary steps to reactivate in full compliance with our Safety Management System.”
The Boeing representative reiterated that the company has been focused on safety and quality as it assesses potential issues, creates plans to address them, conducts employee training, and ensures that workers’ certifications have not expired.
Related
Boeing Delivers Only 14 Planes In October & Warns Of Further Production Delays After Strike
While all striking machinists returned to Boeing’s facilities on November 12, the company is now facing a bumpy road to restart production.
Delivering 737 MAX aircraft to customers
Boeing had continued to deliver 737 MAXs
in low numbers despite the 52-day strike. Ch-aviation data showed that between September 13, when the strike began, and November 12, when all of the striking employees had returned to work, the manufacturer handed over 26 aircraft to its customers.
However, this number includes seven 787s
, which have been assembled at the non-unionized site in North Charleston, South Carolina, since Boeing moved production of the type in 2021.
Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock
Out of the 18 737 MAX aircraft that Boeing delivered during that timeframe, none had operated their first flights before the strike. For example, a 
United Airlines
737 MAX 9, registered as N77588, which Boeing delivered on November 6, took off for the first time on September 9, four days before the strike began. Since November 12, the manufacturer handed over 11 aircraft, including nine 737 MAX and two 777Fs, according to ch-aviation records.
Related
How Many Aircraft Has Boeing Delivered Since The Machinists’ Strike?
Excluding the non-unionized site in South Carolina, Boeing had delivered 14 aircraft during the strike.
