Boeing (BA) is back at the table with the machinists who have been on strike for more than three weeks. Some economy observers are comparing the work stoppage’s impact to that of Hurricane Helene.

Two weeks after Boeing Co. tried and failed to end a strike with the brash move of a direct offer to workers, the planemaker and its largest union are taking another stab at a more conventional pattern of consultation and shuttle diplomacy to end the stalemate.