Boeing Machinists Vote to Strike; Postpone 48 Hours

After voting to strike, union agrees to mediator plea to return to bargaining

By Jim O'Neill, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 4, 2008 7:49 AM CDT

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Boeing Machinists Vote to Strike; Postpone 48 Hours — Boeing workers, including Jackie Vaden, center, and Debbie Anderson, right, rally in favor of a strike against the Boeing Co. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Machinist union headquarters in Seattle (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Boeing's largest union voted overwhelmingly to strike last night, but agreed to extend the current contract 48 hours for a last-ditch effort at the bargaining table to avert a walkout.
Federal mediators urged the delay, after 87% of the company's machinists voted to reject Boeing's offer for a new 3-year contract, reports the Wall Street Journal.

A strike could cost the company $100 million a day, as demand for fuel-efficient jetliners has Boeing plants running at full tilt. Particularly at risk would be delivery of the 787 Dreamliner, already almost 2 years behind schedule; 900 of the groundbreaking jetliners have been ordered. (More Boeing stories.)

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