Machinists vote on Onex pact Saturday

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- The Machinists' union in Wichita sets a Saturday vote on a contract offer from Mid-Western Aircraft Systems.<br/><br/>The union gave the <b><a class="headlinelink" href="http://www.kotv.com/main/home/searchKOTV.asp?mainSearch=Onex">Onex</a></b>

Thursday, June 23rd 2005, 6:26 am

By: News On 6

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- The Machinists' union in Wichita sets a Saturday vote on a contract offer from Mid-Western Aircraft Systems.

The union gave the Onex Corporation company until midnight Friday to present its offer to 4,000 machinists. Union spokesman Dick Schneider says the company has agreed to the deadline.

If the pact is rejected, the union votes on whether to strike. Schneider said Onex has told machinists that workers who go on strike will be replaced.

Onex last week bought Boeing Wichita's plant as well as operations in Tulsa and McAlester and formed Mid-Western Aircraft. Schneider cited "unpleasant" exchanges before talks broke off late Tuesday.