Machinists begin voting on Boeing’s contract offer

Published 9:26 pm Wednesday, September 3, 2008

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.