Boeing, Machinists meet again to negotiate 777X deal

RENTON -- Boeing officials and Machinists union leaders met for the second day in a row Wednesday, the Seattle Times reported, with some sources saying a contract agreement between the two sides could come as early as Christmas.

According to the Times, the two sides again met at the Longacres Headquarters of the Commercial Airplanes division to discuss a contract agreement that would keep work on the Boeing 777X in Washington state.

Previously, Boeing officials had said they would not meet with union members until the current contract was up in 2016. Outlooks for construction of the Boeing 777X in Washington looked dim after the Machinists union voted down a contract renewal on Nov. 13, opening the floodgates for other states to offer incentives to Boeing in an effort to lure jobs.

A note was sent out by the International Association of Machinists District 751 President Tom Wroblewski Wednesday, saying the goal of the two sides was to secure the Puget Sound as the site for 777X fabrication and final assembly. Union members are expected to be updated later Wednesday, the union said.

Details of a potential contract have not yet been released.