Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

By Jesse Russell

Last minute talks broke down early Wednesday with Boeing's Delta Rocket unit and workers are now out on picket lines. A federal mediator failed to help the company and the International Association of Machinists, who represent the 1500 striking workers in California, Alabama and Florida.

A major sore point for the union is Boeing recently posted earnings of $1 billion for the last quarter and is still asking for concessions.

The union has refused to accept Boeing's offer because it includes ending retirement health care coverage for new employees and eliminate caps on co-pays.