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Text size [+][-]  Saturday November 7 2009GLOBAL EDITION

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05 Sep 2008 08:14


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On September 3, Boeing's largest labor union rejected a proposed three-year contract and voted to strike. Its leaders gave the planemaker 48 hours to improve its offer and avert a strike that would shut down production lines. The union said Boeing failed to meet demands for much higher wages and pensions, as well as greater job-security and no increases in healthcare costs. 87% of the voting members approved the strike, which would have been the second since 2005.

Boeing has already offered an 11% wage increase over three years, a one-time $2,500 bonus and increases in minimum hourly pay rates.

A strike would threaten production, including of the much-delayed Dreamliner. With orders flowing amid still-limited competition, Boeing may be tempted to offer more healthcare and other benefits. But as Detroit learned, long-term commitments are dangerous.

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More stories by:  Rob Cox




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