Union Protests Boeing Plan to Outsource Wings

Boeing Co.’s biggest union vowed Thursday to stop the aerospace giant from shifting the production of wings for its proposed 747X superjumbo jet to Japan, saying contract provisions forbid such a move. The International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers local said Boeing’s plans to have Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. build 747X wings would cost thousands of union jobs. IAM officials have requested more details on the 747X plans, saying its contract obligated Seattle-based Boeing to disclose actions that could affect union members. Boeing shares fell $1.69 on the New York Stock Exchange to close at $55.69.