Boeing, Machinists Kiss And Make Up

It looks like things will be patched up sooner than initially expected between the striking machinists and Boeing, although Seattlest never anticipated a long work stoppage. We're sure Boeing would like to get as many planes built and delivered as possible before the rest of the majors test positive for Chapter 11. The airline manufacturer and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers hashed out a tentative agreement over the weekend that will be voted on by union members Thursday.

As much as we'd have liked the negotiations to have gone down in a Renton dive bar, the actual venue was in the other Washington. The Seattle TImes reports that Boeing head Alan Mulally sat down with union president Mark Blondin in a Washington DC office previously occupied by Dick Gephardt, who was also present. Thumbs were screwed, tempers flared (so Seattlest imagines) but the "secret" negotiations proved fruitful.

Rah-rahing from the IAW site:

On every major issue – from health insurance and pension to retiree medical and team leader, your solidarity forced Boeing to change their offer. We have shown the American people we can stand up and get a multi-national corporation to do the right thing. You defeated every takeaway proposal the Company put forth. The new proposal includes:

And then there's a 13-bullet-point list that you can check out for yourself here.

Boeing itself claims some kind of shell game has been perpretrated by stating in the Puget Sound Business Journal:

Boeing said the new offer will cost the company roughly the same as the previous offer.

"The total cost to Boeing is similar to the previous contract offer and meets our definition of a reasonable settlement," Mulally said. "It also supports our plan for making continued quality and productivity improvements, which is the key to being competitive and winning new business."