Profit decline may spur Boeing talks

Negotiations to end a Machinists union strike that has shut down commercial aircraft factories at Boeing Co. gained new urgency Wednesday following a big earnings decline caused by the walkout.

In a conference call following the company’s third-quarter earnings announcement, Boeing Chief Executive Officer W. James McNerney Jr. said he had spoken with union leaders and was optimistic about the outcome of talks that are set to resume today with the help of federal mediators.

“I’m involved in the strike on a day-to-day basis,” McNerney said. “There have been some informal discussions that I think have indicated a constructive head-set on both sides.”

It was the first word of direct communication between McNerney and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers since union members went on strike Sept. 6.

On Wednesday, the Chicago-based company reported net income of $695 million, or 96 cents per share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, down from $1.11 billion, or $1.44 per share, a year earlier.

Associated Press

Spokane

University District to be discussed

Officials intend to reveal more about implementing the strategic plan for Spokane’s University District at a public event this afternoon.

Kay Bachman, a former project management analyst for Avista, will oversee the effort as a loaned executive for at least a year.

Bounded by Division and Hamilton streets, and Sharp Avenue and Interstate 90, the University District is a planning area where local entities envision as a “confluence of innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, scholarship and neighborhood development.” The district includes Washington State University’s Riverpoint Campus and Gonzaga University.

The event is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Gonzaga University’s new PACCAR Center for Applied Science.

Parker Howell

Spokane

S-R launches free GolfSpace site

The Spokesman-Review’s GoGolfNW.com Web site has launched a social networking component called GolfSpace, the company announced Wednesday.

The free golf site includes discussion groups and videos, and follows the launch earlier this year of MotorspaceNW.com, a social network for vehicle and boat enthusiasts.

GoGolfNW.com was launched in April and features a course directory, golf news and online tee-time booking. Soon to come: a free classified advertising service for golfers.

From staff reports