Tuesday, December 11, 2012

A federal judge has ruled a trial is necessary to decide claims brought in a lawsuit by two unions arising from 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.