Union Rips Offer From Boeing

Boeing Co.’s machinists union has assailed the aerospace giant’s initial proposal for a new contract, raising tensions a little over a week before the union’s existing pact expires.

If the sides are unable to resolve their differences, Boeing, which has seen a big resurgence in its business for its family of commercial jetliners this year, could be faced with a strike as early as next month, shutting down production just as demand surges.

“Their initial complete proposal is an insult to the people who have made this company great through the worst times in our nation’s history,” the union said in a statement posted on its website. “The proposal we saw today is far off the mark and shows they just don’t get it.”

The union, which represents 18,500 workers in Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Wichita, Kan., said the company’s proposals on pensions, healthcare, job security and other issues “failed to come close” to its demands.

The arrow on a 10-to-0 scale on the union’s website measuring the talks’ climate was pointing to 3, just above a “strike is looming” red zone.

Strong demand for Boeing’s jets gives the union an unusually strong hand in the talks, analysts say.

Boeing spokesman Charles Bickers said Thursday that discussions and information sharing were continuing. “The offer is balanced and improves a pay-and-benefits package that’s already at the leading edge of the industry.”