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**Article:**

October 23 promises to be a decisive day for Boeing, as striking workers cast their votes on whether to accept the company's latest wage proposal. The vote coincides with CEO Kelly Ortberg's first earnings report, adding suspense to what could be a pivotal moment for the aerospace giant.

Negotiations between Boeing and the union representing 33,000 striking members have yielded a tentative agreement. The new proposal includes an unprecedented 35% pay increase over four years. However, its fate rests in the hands of hourly workers who previously rejected a deal, even with labor leaders' endorsement. This time, union negotiators have withheld their support, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Results of the vote, which only require a simple majority to pass, will be announced late in the day in Seattle, Boeing's main manufacturing hub. If the proposal is accepted, Boeing could begin its recovery from a five-week-long strike that has hampered production and strained cash reserves. A rejection, however, would prolong the company's struggles.

For Ortberg, who stepped in as CEO in early August amid multiple crises, this strike has been particularly challenging. He has already announced a 10% workforce reduction and initiated a $25 billion refinancing package to stabilize Boeing over the next three years. Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst at Aerodynamic Advisory LLC, noted that resolving the strike could significantly improve perceptions of Ortberg’s leadership.

The ongoing work stoppage threatens to downgrade Boeing's credit rating to junk status, complicating its financial situation. This disruption also impacts Boeing's supply chain, potentially hindering efforts to ramp up production once the strike ends.

Ortberg has made efforts to rebuild relationships with employees, spending more time on the factory floor and relocating to the Seattle area. However, announcing job cuts has strained these efforts. Boeing's stock has fallen 41% this year, and whistleblower accounts have alleged that management prioritized production targets over quality.

The new wage proposal, reached with assistance from the White House, does not restore pensions, leaving many employees skeptical. The lack of a recommendation from the union's leaders further adds to the uncertainty.

On October 23, Boeing will also release its earnings report. The company has already revealed some disappointing financial metrics, including $5 billion in charges related to various programs and a $1.3 billion cash outflow for the quarter.

Even if the strike ends, restarting production will be a slow process. Deliveries of new aircraft are not expected to resume until November at the earliest, according to Bernstein analyst Douglas Harned. He suggests that while Boeing will persist, its future shape remains uncertain.

As the vote concludes and earnings are unveiled, Boeing and its stakeholders face a critical juncture that could determine the company’s path forward.