Judge: Trial necessary over Boeing division sale
ROXANA HEGEMAN Associated Press December 11, 2012 3:12PM
WICHITA, Kan. — A federal judge has ruled a trial is necessary to decide claims brought in a lawsuit by two unions arising from Chicago-based Boeing’s 2005 sale of its commercial aircraft operations in Kansas and Oklahoma.
The lawsuit was brought by the International Association of Machinists and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace.
In a 49-page decision Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Monti Belot rejected requests by both sides for summary judgment, although he did side with Boeing on some minor claims.
Among issues to be decided is the meaning of “layoffs” as it relates to early retirement and retiree health care benefits stemming from the sale. Belot ruled that the question of whether Boeing breached its collective bargaining agreements should be decided through trial.
