Union To Bolster Picket Lines At Boeing Plants This Morning

Boeing Co. production workers are volunteering for extra hours on the picket lines today in what the union hopes will be a show of solidarity in the strike.

“A lot of people are calling to volunteer,” said Connie Kelliher, a spokeswoman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

“It’s to send a message to the company that we’re together, and we’re determined.”

The demonstration is planned for 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., when first-shift employees arrive for work at Boeing Co. property, she said.

The Machinists union struck Oct. 6 over issues of health-care coverage, subcontracting and wages. The union last Tuesday rejected a contract offer from management despite an endorsement from labor leadership.

On Saturday, two dozen pickets demonstrated outside the Snohomish home of Boeing negotiator Milt Grover. Police arrived after about 20 minutes and asked the protesters to leave. They did so without incident, and there were no arrests.

Kelliher said the picketing was not a unionorganized activity.

No new talks have been scheduled between management and labor, Boeing spokesman Paul Binder said Sunday.

“The mediator is in contact with both sides. Both of the chief negotiators have spoken, but nothing is planned at this point,” he said.