Will strike kill the C-17?

The 1,700 union workers at the Boeing plant in Long Beach are playing with fire. The Pentagon has been trying to kill the C-17 program for the last couple of years, and the only reason the cargo plane is still clinging to life is intervention by Congressional lawmakers. They don't want to let go of 1,700 high-paying jobs. But the legislative chips have pretty much run their course, and unless a labor deal is worked out soon, Boeing might just decide to call it a day. From Dow Jones:

Boeing has worried since at least 2006 that it may have to end the C-17 line, but its allies in Congress have so far been able to insert new orders into the defense budget. It's a costly operation, according to [Wayne Plucker, an aerospace analyst with the research firm Frost & Sullivan], and it's sitting on some pricey real estate. It may be that Boeing and the union expect the plant to be closed in the near futures, and are seeking out a "best financial fit." "The offer from Boeing is actually fairly generous for a program in its twilight years," he said. "The union is holding out for more since it would make a noticeable difference in the severance packages and pensions if the plant were closed."

That's what this would appear to be about: the C-17 end game. From the Press-Telegram:

"We strongly believe the company's offer was unethical and disrespectful, and while we didn't prefer a strike, the members are strongly behind it if that's what it takes," said Stan Klemchuk, president of United Aerospace Workers Local 148, which represents the striking workers. "A strike is a lose-lose for everybody, but the pension and medical issue is simply too important to let go."

Here's a video from the union Web site.