Boeing workers reject contract offer, Spirit prepares for furloughs

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Machinists union members at Boeing voted Wednesday to reject a new labor deal, and the continuing strike is having an impact on Wichita.

There was a 64-percent vote against the deal, which included a 35-percent wage increase over the next four years, higher 401k contributions, guaranteed payouts in a bonus program and a higher signing bonus. The aerospace giant reached a tentative deal with the striking workers this past weekend.

Over 30-thousand machinists walked off the job over a month ago. Boeing reported a six-billion dollar loss during the last quarter, with a loss of more than eight-billion dollars from January through September.

Wichita’s Spirit AeroSystems is still planning to furlough hundreds of workers.  The furloughs were announced last week in response to the strike.  Spirit officials say 700 workers will be furloughed on Monday.