Boeing strike may force layoffs in state

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Two Oklahoma plants that produce parts for Boeing airplanes may be forced to lay off some of its employees because of a strike at Boeing's facilities.<br/><br/>Members of the

Saturday, September 3rd 2005, 9:08 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Two Oklahoma plants that produce parts for Boeing airplanes may be forced to lay off some of its employees because of a strike at Boeing's facilities.

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers walked off the job at Boeing production plants near Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and Wichita, Kansas, just after midnight Thursday. The union represents more than 18,000 people at the three facilities.

Machinists voted to strike Thursday night after the union rejected a Boeing contract that called for increases in health care premiums and reductions in benefits for retired workers.

The strike could mean some 1,000 workers at Spirit Aerosystems in Tulsa and McAlester will be laid off until Boeing workers return to their jobs. Workers at Spirit produce parts for Boeings 737, 777 and military airplanes.