Union says Boeing is trying to reduce jobs

SEATTLE, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Union leaders accused aircraft maker Boeing of aiming to reduce jobs after contract negotiations in Eastern Washington broke down.

The formal negotiations with federal mediators present broke down after one day of discussions, The Seattle Times reported Tuesday.

Talks bogged down on the topic of outsourcing jobs of members who deliver parts to assembly lines, the Times reported.

The company was willing to discuss protecting those workers from layoffs but wouldn't guarantee those jobs wouldn't be phased out some day.

"Over the long haul, what they really want to do is get rid of 2,000 of our members," union district President Tom Wroblewski told the Times.

"No company can guarantee jobs or agree to stop innovating in an effort to become more efficient," Boeing spokesman Tim Healy said.

The Times said about 2,000 workers are involved in those jobs.

The strike, 39 days old Tuesday, involves 27,000 members of the International Association of Machinists union.