Boeing rejects Murray offer on further talks

A statement from Boeing this morning appears to reject an offer by Sen. Patty Murray to revive the talks between Boeing and the Machinists union in a last-ditch effort to save the second 787 line for Everett.

"No decision has been made" between Charleston, S.C., and Everett, said Boeing spokesman Tim Healy. "But we have the information we need to make the decision. We were very clear with the union about when we needed their best and final offer."

Healy said he could not offer any clarification beyond that statement. But the clear implication is that Murray's attempt earlier this morning to revive the talks has come too late.

Earlier this morning, Murray's spokeswoman Alex Glass described what sounded like a Hail Mary pass.

"The Senator has placed calls to the Machinists and Boeing, asking them to sit down in her office," Glass said. "The machinists have agreed. We are waiting to hear back from the company."

Murray was involved in facilitating talks between the two sides over the past weekend. There was no indication that the new effort would succeed. A person close to the talks late Tuesday said they were effectively dead and that Boeing was likely to choose Charleston, S.C. for the second line.

"We're giving it everything we've got," Glass said. "The Senator feels there is still room for negotiation. For the good of our workforce and the company, she wants to make sure that they talk again."