Boeing's union continues talks.(Briefs; two items about Boeing Co.)(Brief Article)

Crain's Chicago Business, September, 2002

Working under an expired contract, Boeing Co. machinists agreed to honor a request by federal mediators to observe a ``press blackout'' while the two sides continue to try to reach a settlement. The International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said talks with mediators could stretch over the weekend in an effort to avoid a strike.

Earlier last week, the Chicago-based aerospace giant told mediators that it is standing firm on its recent offer to the union. Separately, Boeing won a $900-million order from Kuwait for 16 AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopters. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy gave Boeing and Falls Church, Va.-based rival General Dynamics Corp. 30 days to pay back $2.3 billion paid to develop the A-12 fighter jet, a project that has since been canceled.