Boeing machinists didn’t do the state any favors in voting down a proposal from Boeing to trade future pay and benefits for keeping production of the company’s new 777X plane here in the Puget Sound region. Union members strongly rejected contract terms that would put their retirement future in 401(k)s instead of Boeing pensions. Other contract conditions also galled many members.

Machinists saw their climb into middle class sliding away.

Boeing is now looking around to see what other cities and/or states might offer to get this years-long manufacturing deal. But this doesn’t mean Boeing is ready to bail on the Northwest.

Machinists here are experts in building Boeing planes – and fixing the mistakes caused by workers elsewhere. Remember the Dreamliner mess?

It may be hard to get both sides talking to each other, but it’s in everyone’s best interest that they do.

– Craig Groshart, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter