Machinists Offer to Boeing Could Put Everett Back in the 777x Game

IAM 751 members expect to hear back from Boeing on Thursday

Machinists Present Offer to Boeing To Secure 777x

Machinists Union representatives have presented the Boeing Co. with a preliminary proposal for a contract that would secure 777X wing fabrication and final assembly work for Puget Sound.

The union is not disclosing any of the terms of its Wednesday offer.

“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 District Lodge 751.

Wroblewski said he expects Boeing will respond to the offer on Thursday.

The union offer was made on the second day of meetings between Wroblewski and senior union representatives with top executives with Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes Group, including president and chief executive officer Ray Conner.

The meetings come four weeks after Machinists Union members voted by a 2-to-1 margin to reject a proposed eight-year contract.

Wroblewski described the tone of Wednesday’s talks as “respectful and constructive,” but said the two sides are not close to an agreement.

The union will continue to make the case that Boeing should build the 777X in Washington.

“Our members want Boeing to be successful, and Boeing’s best chance of success for the 777X is to build it here, utilizing their skills, experience and dedication,” Wroblewski said. “A business analyst might call our Machinists the high-skill, low-risk solution to Boeing’s manufacturing needs. I’d just call us the best aerospace workers in the world.”