Boeing Union Agrees to Delay Strike

Boeing (BA Quote) and the International Association of Machinists are headed back to the bargaining table.

The two sides agreed late Wednesday to extend a Boeing strike deadline for 48 hours -- until 12:01 a.m. Saturday -- after workers voted overwhelmingly to strike. According to the tally, 87% of the voters favored a work stoppage, while 80% rejected the contract offer. The IAM constitution requires separate votes on the two issues.

The extension was sought by federal mediators and Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire. Boeing is now in a position where it must reconsider the proposal it gave the union last week, when it said it had made its best and final offer. ...