Onex and Boeing's electrical union postpone action on contract

Tuesday, April 26th 2005, 12:40 pm

By: News On 6

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- The Canadian buyer of Boeing's commercial aircraft operations in Wichita and Oklahoma has pulled back a contract offer opposed by leaders of the electrical workers union.

Onex Corporation plans to resume talks next week on a six-year deal with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The proposal had been scheduled for a vote Tuesday, but Onex withdrew it over the weekend.

Onex officials say they want to give the IBEW time to discuss the effects of the sale with Boeing.

Union representatives want to shoot down the contract offer, saying it would reduce wages and benefits and increase health care costs.

Jim Davis with the union's Local 272 estimates the contract would amount to a $500-a-month pay cut.

So far, Onex doesn't have plans to change its offer.