Boeing, Union Reach Accord Machinist Leaders To Recommend Workers End 67-Day Strike

Negotiators for striking Machinists and Boeing Co. have reached a tentative contract agreement to end a 67-day strike, the union said late Monday.

Union leaders said they would recommend that striking production workers accept the four-year contract when they vote Wednesday.

Union members walked out Oct. 6 after rejecting an initial contract offer. They voted by more than 60 percent to reject a second contract offer Nov. 21.

“We think this offer balances their (Machinists’) interest with those of our customers and our shareholders,” said Boeing spokesman Russ Young. “We think this contract will work in everyone’s best interests … we’re pleased with this.”

The latest agreement, reached after six days of negotiations, includes strengthened language on subcontracting, a key union concern, and new provisions for dealing with the costs of health care insurance.

Financial highlights include a 10 percent first-year bonus, a 4.5 percent lump sum payment in the contract’s second year, a 3 percent general wage increase on Oct. 4, 1997 and a final 3 percent general wage increase on Oct. 4, 1998, chief union negotiator Bob Gregory told a news conference.

“It sounds pretty good, we’ll have to wait and see what they put in writing,” striking machinist Ron Ackerman told KING-TV Monday night. “I think we can all breathe a little easier now. I think it’s gonna go.”

Renewed negotations began last Wednesday.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents more than 32,500 Boeing workers, including about 23,500 in the Puget Sound area, 7,200 in Wichita, Kan., and 1,200 in Gresham, Ore., a Portland suburb.

On Oct. 6, 293 machinists walked off the job at the Boeing plant in Airway Heights.

The machinists’ average wage has been $20.37 an hour.

The union said the new pact contained language providing that any worker affected by subcontracting will be reassigned or retrained for available work inside Boeing.