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Aerospace Blog


 
 

What will 48 hours bring for Boeing, Machinists?


Posted at 8:14 am by Michelle Dunlop

Boeing and Machinists leaders presumably are back at the negotiating table this morning.

Many union members who thought they’d to be on strike today are back at work – and they’re there without the contract they wanted.

Machinists leaders Tom Wroblewski and Mark Blondin pleaded with union members for two more days to reach a deal with Boeing. They thought it was a positive sign that Boeing was ready to return to the table so quickly.

Boeing’s lead negotiator, Doug Kight, made no promises in his press conference last night. He said the company would listen for the union to narrow it down to a few critical issues. He called the issues “tough” and “emotional.” After hearing the issues, Boeing then would decide if it will make changes to its “best and final” offer.

“The key for us will be to continue to listen,” Kight said.

Machinists leaders previously had said that Boeing knew the issues that needed to be resolved. Boeing’s Kight seems to imply this isn’t the case.

After all these months of bargaining, how could either side not know where the other stands? Is there any hope for a contract? Or will 48 hours simply brew more animosity?

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