AIRLINES

Boeing Unit Seeks Strike Authorization: The largest union of the Seattle-based aerospace firm, comprising 43,600 machinists, voted overwhelmingly to seek strike authorization from its parent union, a union spokeswoman said. About 95% of the local union members attending meetings in Seattle, Wichita, Kan., and Portland, Ore., voted to seek strike authorization from the International Assn. of Machinists. Strike authorization, if granted, would permit workers to receive strike benefits from the parent union should a strike be authorized in the next round of voting. The vote on a proposed contract and whether to authorize a strike will be held on Oct. 2, the day before the union’s contract with Boeing expires. The issues involve job security, health care, wages and retirement.