Thousands of Puget Sound area workers who build Boeing Co. jets voted overwhelmingly today to end their four-week walkout.
Eighty percent of the voting Machinists agreed to accept a company offer that improved pensions and backed off from cutbacks in medical benefits. Twenty percent voted against the contract.
“Twenty-eight days ago, nearly nine out of 10 members stood up and said, “No more. No more takeaways, no more sellouts,‘“said union president Mark Blondin before announcing Thursday results. “We got a deal that I think hits all our issues.”
Workers cheered loudly at their union headquarters in Seattle when the voting results were announced.
The strong support for the new contract means some Boeing workers will return to their jobs as early as tonight’s late shift. Workers don’t have to return until Oct. 12 to accommodate those who accepted other jobs and need to give notice.
The contract offer had been recommended by union leaders.
It was negotiated in secret sessions in Washington, D.C., this past weekend.
Both sides called the contract a win because workers got much of what they sought and because Boeing put a stop to the strike before customers became angered by a long wait for deliveries.
Machinists began their walkout Sept. 2 after an 84 percent majority approved it.
The new contract seemed had solid support among Machinists voting Thursday in Everett.
“It’ll fly,” said Rico Razo, a stores keeper from Everett.
The contract “wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst,” he said. “It was decent and it was acceptable.”
“This is what we wanted in the first place,” said Judy Crooks, an electrician from Marysville.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
