On Wednesday, thousands of Boeing machinists may vote to reject the company's final contract offer and then, if they get enough votes, walk off the job and strike. If they strike, what happens to the 787, Boeing's passenger jet of the future which is behind schedule, and what about the orders which may migrate to Airbus or simply be canceled by struggling airlines. These are delicate times and unfortunately, the ill-feeling coming out of the union halls among the workers puts the company, the Puget Sound Region and our state at risk---if a prolonged labor stoppage takes place.
So what is Boeing's final offer? For many of us, it is quite good. Boeing estimates the machinists will get an extra $34,000 in compensation over the next three years. In this economy, that is nothing to dismiss.
Hopefully, the strike won't happen, Boeing will get on with its test flights of the 787 and the company will have a long, long prosperous future in Washington. No one wants to see that infamous billboard from 1972 reappear: "Last One Leaving Seattle, Turn Out the Lights!"
Don C. Brunell, President (DonB@awb.org)
