Boeing is currently navigating a significant labor strike, with over 30,000 factory workers having walked off the job after 96% of the machinists voted for a strike, rejecting a proposed contract that included a 25% pay increase over four years. The company has responded by implementing a hiring freeze across all levels and is considering temporary layoffs, as the strike could potentially cost Boeing up to $3.5 billion. Negotiations between Boeing management and the union have resumed, but a new deal seems uncertain as the strike escalates and financial pressures mount. The situation highlights a shift in labor dynamics as workers stand firm for better contracts, marking the first major strike at Boeing in 16 years.