Boeing to send final offer to Machinists

SEATTLE – Boeing Co. plans to present its Machinists with a final contract offer today after receiving a counterproposal Wednesday from the union, company spokesman Tim Healy said.

The union’s latest counterproposal asked for more money and stronger job security language, according to Connie Kelliher, a spokeswoman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 751.

In its Tuesday offer, Boeing bumped a wage increase to 9 percent over three years and raised the basic pension benefit. It also included a yearly 3 percent cost of living adjustment.

Kelliher said the union’s counteroffer showed movement from the Machinists’ side but still “respected the issues our members identified as important.”

Chicago-based Boeing’s most recent proposal still contained provisions that the union said would take away existing benefits. For instance it would eliminate early retiree medical benefits for future hires and for rehires who have been gone longer than six years, Kelliher said.

The union wants language limiting Boeing’s use of subcontractors and vendors in place of union members.

The IAM represents 25,000 Boeing employees in the Seattle area, around 1,800 in Wichita and 800 in Portland.

The current contract expires Sept. 3. Representatives from Boeing and the union began round-the-clock negotiations on Aug. 21.