Contract talks restart between Boeing, machinists

[October 13, 2008]  SEATTLE (AP) -- Negotiations have begun to end a five-week strike by machinists for the Boeing Co.

A note saying talks were under way with a federal mediator was posted Sunday on the Web site of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

The union covers 25,000 hourly production workers in the Seattle area and about 2,000 more in Oregon and Kansas. Union spokeswoman Connie Keller says she doesn't know where the talks are taking place.

An agreement was announced Wednesday to renew contract talks for the first time since the strike began Sept. 6. Key issues include job security, pay, retirement benefits and health care.

[Associated Press]

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