Money | Boeing Boeing Machinists Vote to Strike; Postpone 48 Hours After voting to strike, union agrees to mediator plea to return to bargaining By Jim O'Neill Posted Sep 4, 2008 7:49 AM CDT Copied Boeing workers, including Jackie Vaden, center, and Debbie Anderson, right, rally in favor of a strike against the Boeing Co. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Machinist union headquarters in Seattle (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Boeing's largest union voted overwhelmingly to strike last night, but agreed to extend the current contract 48 hours for a last-ditch effort at the bargaining table to avert a walkout. Federal mediators urged the delay, after 87% of the company's machinists voted to reject Boeing's offer for a new 3-year contract, reports the Wall Street Journal. A strike could cost the company $100 million a day, as demand for fuel-efficient jetliners has Boeing plants running at full tilt. Particularly at risk would be delivery of the 787 Dreamliner, already almost 2 years behind schedule; 900 of the groundbreaking jetliners have been ordered. Read These Next SCOTUS sounds skeptical about law banning gay conversion therapy. Felix Baumgartner's death attributed to his own error. You might want to take mass transit instead of driving in this city. Robin Williams' daughter: AI clips of him are 'disturbing' Report an error