Machinists' Union and Boeing Work to Extend Contract

Last, week, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) and Boeing reached a tentative agreement which would extend the Union's contract for four years and, when ratified, will increase wages, maintain and improve traditional pensions and add new jobs. The Union and Boeing have been in a troubled relationship recently since Boeing decided to build a new plant for its 787 Dreamliner in South Carolina where unions are weak. The National Labor Relations Board filed a suit claiming that Boeing had decided to build the new plant in South Carolina in illegal retaliation against the Union for striking. That case now looks like it may be dropped if the new contract is ratified by the Boeing employees. Additional coverage here.