Boeing machinists call midnight strike

CHICAGO, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The Machinists union in Seattle announced on its Web site Friday afternoon its members at Boeing would go on strike at midnight.

The notice, signed by District President Tom Wroblewski, said Boeing had "disrespected" the negotiating process as well as the rank-and-file members who would be hitting the picket lines at 12:01 a.m. PDT Saturday.

"If this company wants to talk, they have my number, they can reach me on the picket line," Wroblewski said in his statement.

Contract negotiations between Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers moved to Orlando, Fla., Friday for what apparently was a fruitless attempt to reach a new contract agreement.

Union President Mark Blondin told the Seattle Times there was no offer produced Friday and the talks broke off.

The Times said the impasse would send about 27,000 union members out of Boeing facilities in the Seattle area as well as Portland, Ore., Wichita, Kan., and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer said members were furious at a meeting in the Seattle area earlier in the week that the talks had been extended.

"Everyone is upset," said a machinist who did not wish to be named. "They are mad at the company, mad at the offer, even mad at the union leadership."