P. M. BRIEFING : Machinist Leaders Urge Rejection of Newest Boeing Contract Offer

The president of the aerospace machinists local said today the union will recommend its nearly 60,000 members turn down Boeing’s last contract offer, increasing the likelihood of a strike.

“The union is recommending that the proposal be rejected,” said Tom Baker, president of Local 751 of the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace workers.

Baker would not discuss details of Boeing’s final offer, which was presented by company negotiators Monday. However, at a meeting scheduled later today, union members will hear the details of a proposed three-year contract that reportedly would provide pay increases of 4% the first year and 3% in each of the last two years, as well as production bonuses of 8% and 4% in the first two years.

Similar meetings were scheduled at Wichita, Kan., Portland, Ore. and several other cities where Boeing plants are located.

If the contract is rejected, Baker said he anticipates that machinists will strike Boeing for the first time since 1977. A strike would be effective midnight today.