Boeing, machinists meeting again to discuss contract

EVERETT -- Negotiations are entering their third day as union leaders representing thousands of Boeing machinists have proposed a contract extension to Boeing that would lead to the manufacture of the Boeing 777X here in Washington. Boeing planned to announce its decision on that offer Thursday.

“We tried to craft a proposal that would meet the needs of our members, while also ensuring the long-term success of the Boeing Co. in Washington state,” said Tom Wroblewski, the president of Machinists Union.

Despite the contract on the table, Wrobelewski said the two sides are still far apart in the negotiation process.

Union members are reacting to the news.

"That is good news," Boeing Machinist David Snell said. "At least they’re at the tables and talking and they believe that we can do the jobs better than any place else in the nation."

Details of the proposal have not been released. The most contentious issues in last month's Boeing contract proposal were worker's pensions and healthcare. Union members rejected Boeing's previous proposal by a 2-to-1 margin.