Stakes are high in Boeing vote

Boeing union machinists voted Friday on a contract offer to keep 777X work in Everett and 737 MAX work in Renton. The immediate effect of the vote, the second on this new contract after the first was rejected in November, was presumed to be negligible by an IAMAW District 751 spokesman.

Boeing union machinists voted Friday on a contract offer to keep 777X work in Everett and 737 MAX work in Renton.

The immediate effect of the vote, the second on this new contract after the first was rejected in November, was presumed to be negligible by an IAMAW District 751 spokesman.

Back in November when machinists rejected it by a nearly 2-to-1 vote, District 751 media representative Bryan Corliss said there was little concern because the machinists were under contract until 2016.

About 600 Boeing machinists union members live in Island County, according to Corliss. Roughly 31,000 machinists are District 751 members in the Puget Sound area.

The new contract, which would replace the existing one and run through 2024, offers guaranteed work in exchange for ending pensions in favor of a contribution plan, like a 401(k). It also includes increased employee costs for medical insurance but improves dental coverage.

There are two cash signing bonuses, one at the start of the contract and another in 2020, worth a combined $15,000.

After machinists rejected the initial contract offer, Boeing opened work on the 777X to other sites. The company reportedly has proposals from 22 states.

Boeing called the recent contract proposal with District 751 machinists its “best and final” offer. Local union leaders rejected the offer last month, but international leadership called for the vote.

Results were to be released by 9 p.m. Jan. 3.