What has the machinist's strike cost Boeing? According to a MarketWatch article, roughly $1.4 billion, or more, in sales - of today. The machinists' union is demanding improved pay and benefits, along with a larger voice in the company's outsourcing practices. Boeing (BA: sentiment, chart, options) stated that it has met part of the workers' demands, but it has to be able to outsource to secure future sales, particularly overseas. Roughly 90% of the company's current backlog comes from the overseas market.

Thanks to the strike, all of BA's commercial-plane production remains off-line, which has delayed deliveries to its airline, shipping, and leasing customers. The delay could also further postpone the unveiling of BA's much-anticipated 787 Dreamliner. BA could also get hit with fines stemming from late deliveries. The strike doesn't hit BA only, the firm's suppliers may now face layoffs as a result.