27,000 Boeing Machinists Getting Ready To Strike

August 31, 2008 6:20 a.m. EST

Seattle, WA (AHN) - A big strike by 27,000 machinists in Boeing Co.'s operations in three states is looming next week as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the company's largest union, urged its members to reject a contract offer.

IAM told its members to get ready to strike, which would hamper production in Washington, Oregon and Kansas. Its members are scheduled to vote on Boeing's offer on Wednesday.

The strike would further delay deliveries of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which is already short of its schedule.

The union has filed unfair labor practices charges against Boeing when the company dealt directly with IAM members.

Boeing intended to open communication with its machinists. It posted details of its offer online while negotiations were ongoing instead of letting the union present details to machinists.

The move irked IAM as it breached the union's capability to come up with a "fair deal".

In retaliation, IAM posted a statement on its website saying Boeing's offer fell short in such areas as job security commitments, medical plan costs, and pay increases for lower-waged workers.

Boeing offered a salary increase of 11 percent, a pension increase of 14 increase, bonus payments and other incentives in a three-year agreement.

In 2005, workers went on strike for four months after negotiations on a new contract failed.