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<< Previous   of   Next >> Michael O'Leary/ The Herald  (click to enlarge) Boeing machinist union members rallied and marched from the plant to the union hall Wednesday morning. Some members returned to the plant as others lined up to cast their votes on the contract offer. ...photo taken 090308 Michael O'Leary/ The Herald  (click to enlarge) Boeing machinist union members rallied and marched from the Everett plant to the union hall Wednesday morning. Some members returned to the plant as others lined up to cast their votes on the contract offer. The Herald/ Michael O'Leary  (click to enlarge) Machinist Francis Cheever is busy Wednesday morning directing fellow machinists to ballot boxes at the Everett Machinist's hall. Michael O'Leary/ The Herald  (click to enlarge) Machinist Francis Cheever is busy Wednesday morning directing fellow machinists to ballot boxes at the Everett Machinist's hall.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, September 3, 2008 Machinists begin voting on Boeing's contract offer Herald Staff EVERETT -- Members of the Boeing Co.'s largest union began casting votes today on whether to accept the company's contract offer or reject it and go on strike. About 27,000 Machinists -- from Wichita, Kan., to Portland, Ore., to Everett -- could vote to shut down Boeing's commercial jet factories if 67 percent give the OK to strike. Machinists leaders have urged members to reject Boeing's offer, which includes pay raises of 11 percent over three years and a $2,500 signing bonus. Union halls opened at 5 this morning and will close at 6 p.m. Boeing negotiators have called this three-year contract the best in the industry. They're urging union members to accept their offer. Machinists expect to have vote results by around 9 p.m. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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