Boeing exec: Selection process narrowing for 777X

[unhappycamper]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/12/17/2952990/boeing-exec-selection-process.html

Boeing exec: Selection process narrowing for 777X
By MIKE BAKER
Associated Press
December 17, 2013 Updated 18 hours ago

SEATTLE — A Boeing executive said Tuesday the company is narrowing its options as it searches for a place to build the 777X passenger plane.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Ray Conner also told employees in a message that the machinists union's rejection of a new contract proposal that would have the planes built in the Puget Sound area was disappointing.

"It was a rejection, plain and simple, and we now have to turn and face the reality of the union leadership's final decision," Conner said.

Local union leaders have said they didn't see the point of bringing the latest offer to a vote because it was too similar to one that was previously rejected. Of particular concern, union officials balked at Boeing's insistence that workers move from a traditional pension plan to a 401(k)-style retirement plan.