Boeing machinists will vote on an important labor contract that will affect health care, pension benefits, and the location of thousands of jobs on Friday.
The contract deals with the new 777x airplane. Production of Boeing’s 777X would bring thousands of jobs to employees. The new plane is an iteration of the strong-selling 777. It has the capability to hold 400 passengers.
Boeing has explored new regions where Boeing airplanes can be built. According to the Associated Press, the offer has fractured the union and drawn pleas from politicians who say the deal is necessary to support Puget Sound’s economic future.
Union officials are asking current employees to oppose the deal. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) have told their members that this is a bad deal. According to Reuters, a local leader said in a letter to members, "You need to look at the facts of the economic destruction you would live under for the next 11 years.”
Voting on the deal is to take place by 6PM on Friday. Results are expected to be announced later that night.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
