No talks scheduled as machinists strike continues

No talks scheduled as machinists strike continues

Striking machinists are seen on a picket line outside Boeing's manufacturing plant in Everett, Wash. on Monday, September 8, 2008.

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By KOMO Staff & News Services

SEATTLE -- A Boeing Co. spokesman says the shutdown of aircraft manufacturing operations because of a strike has gone well.

Tim Healy of Boeing says there have been no reports of incidents or problems since the Machinists union walkout began Saturday morning. In fact, he says the strikers helped to assure an orderly shutdown by putting things in order before they left the workplace.

Healy and Connie Kelliher of the Machinists union say both sides are ready to resume negotiations at any time but no talks have been scheduled.

The union represents about 27,000 electricians, painters, mechanics, riveters and other production workers - 25,000 in the greater Seattle area, 1,500 in Gresham, Ore., and 750 in Wichita, Kan.

This is the machinists' second strike in as many contract negotiations with Boeing. They struck for 24 days in 2005.

Union members voted to strike on Wednesday, but both sides agreed to a 48-hour contract extension - requested by Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and a federal mediator. However, negotiations failed Friday and the strike was on.

Boeing's "best and final" three-year offer, presented Aug. 28 after talks that began May 8, included bonuses totaling at least $5,000 and averaging $6,400, raises averaging 11 percent, pension increases and a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment - $34,000 in average pay and benefit gains per employee, according to the company.

Union members have expressed concern over the contract proposal's higher medical deductibles and greater outsourcing.

Analysts have said a strike could cost Boeing about $100 million per day in deferred revenue. During the last strike, Boeing was unable to deliver more than two dozen airplanes on schedule.

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