Machinists Union Rejects Boeing’s ‘Final’ Offer

Machinists union negotiators asked Boeing Co. to return to the bargaining table after union members in Southern California and Florida authorized a strike after rejecting what the company called its “best and final offer.” Workers remained on the job, but leaders of the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said a strike was not out of the picture for 2,171 machinists who work on projects including the international space station and the Delta rocket. Union members on Sunday rejected Boeing’s offer by a 95% margin, and 85% voted in favor of strike authorization. More than 1,500 of the machinists are assigned to Boeing’s Huntington Beach-based expendable launch operation. Others work on space and aircraft projects at Boeing facilities in Torrance, Vandenberg Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral, Fla.