Textron Aviation machinists vote to strike

Nearly 5,000 Textron Aviation machinists in the Wichita area overwhelmingly rejected the company’s final contract offer and voted to strike Saturday.

Insurance and compensation were the two key sources of disapproval of the proposed contract.

It had offered a 26% pay increase over four years, including an 11% wage increase immediately. It also included a $3,000 lump sum payment each year and an annual longevity bonus after five years of service.

81 percent of voters chose to authorize the strike, which will go into effect just after midnight Monday.