Union members narrowly approve Boeing contract

Seattle-area machinist union members narrowly approved a new contract with Boeing late Friday, avoiding the possibility that the airplane manufacturer would move all production of its new 777X line to another state. The vote had sparked considerable turmoil within the union, with many calling for the contract’s rejection even if Boeing followed through with its threat to move production.

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751, which represents 32,000 members, announced late Friday that the new contract had been approved by 51 percent of voting members. An exact vote total was not released.