Boeing strike: US acting labor secretary to meet with both sides

U.S. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su flew to Seattle on Monday to try to ease a strike by Boeing factory workers, as thousands of employees face layoffs and a major airline reacted with alarm to the planemaker's deepening turmoil. Su's first in-person intervention, reported by Reuters and confirmed by the Labor Department, comes days after Boeing - dealing with a crippling strike now in its fifth week - unveiled plans to cut 17,000 jobs and take $5b in charges, continuing a year of tumult for the company. "Acting Secretary Su is meeting with both parties today to assess the situation and encourage both parties to move forward in the bargaining process," a spokesperson said. While Su has previously spoken with Boeing and the union, it is her first time in Seattle meeting both sides in person, the spokesperson said. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said its lead negotiator, Jon Holden, had updated Su on the current talks, "stressing the Union’s commitment to a negotiated contract that values our members' skills and dedication."<br/>