Likely To Lead To Airplane Being Built In The Puget Sound Region

The International Association of Machinists (IAM) would like to have the Boeing 777X built in the Puget Sound area, and Boeing would like to have a long-term contract with the union. With that as a backdrop, the two sides are reportedly close to reaching an agreement that would satisfy both.

Secret, high-level negotiations have been going on for some time, according to a report in The Seattle Times. Now, IAM national leader Tom Buffenbarger told the paper that, "it's getting to a point where the members decide."

That deal could come as soon as Wednesday, Buffenbarger told the paper. The proposal would then go out to the membership in Washington State and Portland, OR, about 32,000 machinists.

If it is reached, it is likely that final assembly of the 777X would be done in Everett, and the massive composite wing structures would be fabricated in the region as well.

Formal negotiations between Boeing and the IAM began last week. The airplane is expected to be formally launched at the Dubai Air Show later this month, with entry into service planned sometime around 2020.

FMI: www.iam.org, www.boeing.com