This is a breaking story and will be updated as more details become available.
SEATTLE — The International Association of Machinists, Boeing’s largest union, has voted to strike, rejecting Boeing’s “best and final” offer for a new three-year contract.
UPDATE 9:51 PM: IAM leadership has agreed to return to the bargaining table with Boeing to continue to negotiate a contract with a NRLB Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service appointed mediator in exchange for a 48-hour hold in the commencement of any strike. IAM members present angrily reacted and indicated that the 87% vote in favor of a strike and 80% rejection of the contract should stand initiating a strike at 12:01 AM. Currently, no strike is authorized.
UPDATE 9:45 PM: IAM leadership indicates Boeing is ready to return to the table, in exchange for 48 hour delay in strike. Union members present react with expletives, mostly of the four-letter variant.
UPDATE 9:41 PM: IAM votes 87% in favor of a strike. 80% reject contract. Jetliner production halts at 12:01 AM.
UPDATE 9:39 PM: “The Final Countdown” blares as Union Leadership enters the press conference hall.
IAM: “You don’t tell us what our members want, we tell you what our members want.”
UPDATE 9:27 PM: Official confirmation of a tally is not yet available.
This will be the first time the IAM has voted in favor of a strike in back-to-back contract negotiations. The union’s 2005 strike lasted for 28 days.
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This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.