Seattle (Reuters): A strike at Boeing "could go on for a while" as workers are confident they can get bigger wage increases and an improved pension, union leader Jon Holden said in an interview with National Public Radio (NPR) on Saturday.

More than 30,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), who produce Boeing's top-selling 737 MAX and other jets in the Seattle and Portland, began a strike on Friday after overwhelmingly voting down a new contract.

Boeing and union negotiators are due to return to the bargaining table next week, in talks overseen by U.S. federal mediators, after more than 94% of workers voted to reject an initial contract offer that Holden had endorsed.

Holden said the priorities for his members were a bigger wage increase and the restoration of a defined-benefit pension scheme that the IAM lost during a previous round of negotiations with Boeing a decade ago.

"We have the most leverage and the most power at the most opportune time that we've ever had in our history, and our members are expecting us to use it," Holden told NPR.

"I know that our members are confident. They're standing shoulder to shoulder and they're ready. So it (the strike) could go on for a while."

The initial deal included a 25% pay rise spread over four years and a commitment by Boeing to build its next commercial jet in the Seattle region, if the plane program was launched within the four-year period of the contract.

Union members, venting frustration at years of stagnant wages and rising living costs, said removal of a performance bonus in the Boeing offer would erode half of the headline salary increase.

Boeing's stock fell 3.7% on Friday. It has tumbled almost 40% so far this year, slashing the company's market value by roughly $58 billion

A long strike could further damage Boeing's finances, already groaning due to a $60 billion debt pile. A lengthy pause on plane production would also weigh on airlines that fly Boeing jets and suppliers that manufacture parts.

Islamabad: Intense consultation process among political parties on the proposed constitutional package is underway in the federal capital.

The government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar visited the residence of JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman where two sides held detailed discussions on the constitutional and legal matters.

Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi were also present during the meeting.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the PPP Parliamentary Party in the National Assembly was also held in Islamabad.

Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Assefa Bhutto, Syed Khurshid Shah and others attended the sittting, which deliberated upon different constitutional and legal matters.

Similarly, the Parliamentary Party of JUI-F also met with Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the chair.

It exchanged views on different matters related to proposed constitutional amendment.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement Parliamentary Party was also held with MQM leader Maqbool Siddiqui in the chair. It discussed different aspects related to constitutional matters.

A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf delegation also visited Maulana Fazlur Rehman's residence to win his support in favour of the PTI.

It is pertinent to mention that sessions of both Houses of the Parliament are also scheduled today.

The government intends to table the constitutional package in the parliament to strengthen the judicial system of the country. 

Islamabad: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday dispelled concerns about any “person-specific” legislation, saying the government is committed to deliver speedy justice for the people of Pakistan.

While talking to media in Islamabad, Tarar stated, "Reforms are overdue to ensure that the people of Pakistan have access to swift justice," 

In response to a query, he maintained that the government would secure the necessary numbers in both Houses for the new legislation. "It is incorrect to believe that there is any person-specific legislation. Our focus is solely on the greater good of the masses," he reiterated.

Tarar stated that all political parties are united in their goal to provide speedy justice at the doorstep of the people. He also mentioned that a special committee, consisting of allied parties, is currently in session.

"Cabinet would convene shortly to discuss the matter," he maintained while giving the importance to these reforms.

Speaking to journalists, the minister assured that any proposed legislation would be in the collective interest of the nation.

He surther said that the judiciary has faced delays in resolving cases for many decades, making it imperative to implement measures for quicker justice.

Tarar highlighted that all coalition parties are represented on the special committee formed to address this issue. He also mentioned that Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had discussed the Charter of Democracy as a framework for judicial reforms.

“Any amendment on matters of national concern should benefit the entire Pakistani nation,” he stated. He pointed out that legal gaps have often led to issues such as unissued cause lists, unserved notices, and delayed orders.