AP: Boeing, union reach tentative contract

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Boeing, union reach tentative contract

September 26, 2005

SEATTLE – The Boeing Co. and its machinists union have reached a tentative contract agreement, which if approved will end a three-week strike that shut down the company's airplane production.

Mark Blondin, district president for Machinists District Lodge 751 in Seattle, confirmed the agreement yesterday and said union members would vote on the deal Thursday. Boeing spokesman Charles Bickers said the company believes the agreement is reasonable and reflects compromise on both sides.

According to Blondin, the deal calls for Boeing to not change its health care plan despite huge increases in health care costs nationwide. That's a major change from the premium increases and other increases Boeing had demanded.

Pension payouts for union members would increase to $70 per month for every year served, up from $60. The company also agreed to continue offering medical benefits for retirees, Blondin said.

There would be no general wage increase, but workers would receive an 8 percent signing bonus, or about $5,000, plus $3,000 payouts in the second and third years of the contract. Workers are paid an average of $59,000 a year.

Associated Press


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