Boeing, Union Sit Down With Federal Mediator

Team Infidel

Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Post
September 5, 2008
Pg. D3

By Associated Press
SEATTLE, Sept. 4 -- Representatives from Boeing and the machinists union met with a federal mediator Thursday as the clock ticked on an unusual two-day contract extension after union production workers soundly rejected a contract offer and voted to strike.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents 27,000 aircraft assembly workers at the aerospace giant, voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to strike for an unprecedented second time in three years, then learned both sides had agreed to a 48-hour contract extension at the request of Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and federal mediators.
Union spokeswoman Connie Kelliher said representatives would not comment during the talks. Boeing spokesman Tim Healy said he had no information on the progress.
The last-minute move to avert a potentially bruising strike was met with frustration from rank-and-file members who had voted 80 percent against the offer and 87 percent to strike if the offer was rejected, more than the two-thirds required for a walkout.
Chief negotiator Mark Blondin and Tom Wroblewski, president of Machinists District Lodge 751, were repeatedly shouted down at the union hall Wednesday night with catcalls of "Sellout!" and "What was the strike vote for?"
Analysts say a strike could cost Boeing about $100 million a day in deferred revenue. During the last strike -- a 24-day walkout in 2005 -- Boeing was unable to deliver more than two dozen airplanes on schedule.
 
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