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In a plot twist worthy of a soap opera, Boeing is inching toward a tentative deal that could finally end a five-week-long strike. The International Association of Machinists must first hold a member vote—bearing in mind that this is the same crew that nearly unanimously rejected the last offer faster than Boeing’s planes can (theoretically) reach cruising altitude.

The fate of this deal, scheduled for a vote on Wednesday, hangs in the balance as much as Boeing’s brand reputation does in the wake of recent calamity—because nothing says “organic growth” quite like a brawl with your workers right after your shiny new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, decided to “reset” company relations like it’s a Wi-Fi router.

Boeing, the American titan of flight, is somehow still the country’s largest exporter despite having a plane-related drama that would make “Lost” look like a cozy walk in the park. The company’s annual contribution to the economy is reminiscent of that wobbly three-legged table that supports around 1.6 million jobs, which we can only hope doesn’t topple thanks to a little thing called a strike.

If that’s not enough to make your head spin, the previous tentative agreement was tossed out with such velocity that it could’ve taken flight on its own. Alas, after discovering that the folks at Boeing are not easily swayed by mediocre offers, the union has deemed the new proposal as “worthy” of consideration—a dubious compliment likely akin to saying, “Hey, at least you tried.”

The latest offer promises dazzling raises—35% over four years!—like a shiny fishing lure aimed at the hungry fish below. They’re also tossing in a 401(k) contribution boost, because why not give a little taste of something sweet while keeping the pension plan at the bottom of the ocean where it belongs? Cue the collective sigh from past union members still reeling from that daring heist ten years ago.

The union credited Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su for playing the role of the benevolent mediator, a title that seems strangely fitting given her knack for brokering deals like they’re going out of style. She even managed to charm the International Longshoremen’s Association into submission just weeks earlier. We should probably start calling her the “Labor Whisperer.”

Boeing remains optimistic about this deal. In a statement that reeks of cautious anticipation, the company is readying itself for more potential backlash—because if there’s one thing we know about labor negotiations, it’s that they’re as smooth as flying a paper airplane through a windstorm.

But here’s the kicker—Boeing is hemorrhaging cash at an astounding rate of a billion dollars a month, and the strikers are really just the proverbial icing on an already problematic cake. Get ready, because between the strike and the aimless meanderings of management decisions, Boeing’s cash reserves are doing a better disappearing act than a road magician on a budget.

And if you thought that was the end of the rollercoaster ride, just wait until you hear about Boeing‘s stream of mishaps that could make even the most seasoned reality TV producer blush. Two catastrophic crashes buried sales and now a good ol’ crisis of confidence has grounded their best-selling 737 Maxs like they’re hot potatoes no one dares touch.

Yet, don’t shed a tear for Boeing just yet—it turns out their position as a member of the duopoly with Airbus acts like an economic safety net, meaning the company is practically untouchable, even while blurring the lines between a premier flight manufacturer and a bizarre tragic comedy.

With each precarious misstep over the past five years, Boeing’s floundering reputation might even warrant a write-up in a financial horror anthology. Among the mix of federal investigations and misplaced bolts lies an odd irony: the financial powerhouse able to turn crisis into confusion, with employees left to wonder if the next round of negotiations will end any better than the last.

This story has been updated with additional context and developments, because let’s face it, the drama is far from over.

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