NEW YORK (Reuters) - The union representing striking machinists at Boeing on Monday said the two sides have reached a tentative deal and the union will hold a vote this week.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said it reached a tentative agreement with BOEING (BA.NY)Co, which could mean the end of the strike that began on September 6.
The specific Boeing representative, who would be knowledgeable about the deal, could not be reached immediately for comment.
The tentative four-year contract would provide job security and limit the amount of work outside vendors can perform in the workplace, the union said.
The agreement was hammered out over a five-day period with assistance from federal mediators.
Among the other issues resolved in the latest round of bargaining were wage rates, health care benefits for current and future employees, pension improvements and work rule changes designed to improve productivity, the union said in a statement.
The union said that details of the accord would be withheld until they can be compiled and distributed to IAM members in all Boeing locations.
The tentative agreement has the unanimous endorsement of the IAM negotiating committee and will be presented to members for a ratification vote, which will take place in three to five days. A simple majority is required to ratify the tentative agreement, the union said.
The IAM represents nearly 27,000 employees at Boeing facilities in Kansas, Oregon and Washington and California.
(Reporting by Ilaina Jonas; Editing by Bernard Orr)
