Boeing Machinist Union Members Vote Wednesday On Contract Extension

Machinists Union members ‑ from the Puget Sound, Portland and Wichita, Kan. ‑ will vote on Wednesday, Dec. 7 on a four-year contract extension that includes Boeing’s commitment to build its 737 MAX passenger jet in Renton.

Polls are open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In addition to the job security language in the proposed contract, additional terms include:

• Annual 2 percent wage increases, plus cost-of-living adjustments;
• An incentive program intended to pay bonuses between 2 and 4 percent;
• A ratification bonus of $5,000 for each member;
• Increases to the formula for calculating pensions in each year of the pact; and
• Guarantees that new hires would continue to receive traditional pensions.

The proposed extension is unusual, given that the IAM’s current contract with Boeing isn’t set to expire until September 2012, wrote Edmonds Patch blogger, Bryan Corliss.

Wednesday’s vote requires a simple majority, and the new contract would immediately go into effect immediately.

If the majority of union voters disagree with the proposal, the Machinists would continue working under their current contract and negotiators between Boeing and the Union would resume again next year to discuss a new agreement.