Union machinists OK a new Boeing contract

Machinists union members ratified a new contract with the Boeing Co. on Saturday, ending an eight-week strike that had cut the airplane maker’s profits and stalled jetliner deliveries.

The vote by members of the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents about 27,000 workers at plants in Washington state, Oregon and Kansas, was about 74% in favor of the proposal five days after the two sides tentatively agreed to the deal and union leaders recommended its approval.

The workers are expected to return to Boeing’s commercial airplane factories, which have been closed since the Sept. 6 walkout, starting tonight.

The union has said that the contract protects more than 5,000 factory jobs, prevents the outsourcing of certain positions and preserves healthcare benefits.

It also promises pay increases over four years rather than three, as outlined in earlier offers.

Union members, including electricians, painters, mechanics and other production workers, have lost an average of about $7,000 in base pay since the strike began.

They had rejected earlier proposals by the company, based in Chicago.

It was the union’s fourth strike against Boeing in two decades and the longest since 1995.

Boeing officials have said that the contract allows them flexibility to manage their business and remain competitive.

The work stoppage was costing the company an estimated $100 million per day in deferred revenue and postponing delivery of its long-awaited 787 jetliner, which has already been delayed three times, and other commercial planes.

The strike came amid surging demand for the company’s commercial jetliners, which include 737s, 747s, 767s and 777s. Boeing has said its order backlog has swollen to a record $349 billion in value.

It remains unclear how long it will take Boeing’s commercial aircraft business to return to pre-strike production levels, but the chief financial officer has said Boeing hopes it will take less than two months.