Yet exports did better than expected in October, particularly since the Boeing strike had idled the company for most of the month.

The Boeing strike may become a watershed event in this struggle, and it is bringing to light an unusual obstacle.

Whatever the lures, the Boeing strike is today focused squarely on the issue of bonuses versus wage increases.

Industrial production rose 0.4 percent in December, bolstered by abnormally cold weather and the end of the Boeing strike.

As an assembly line electrician, Fraser joined the Boeing strike of 1948.

Today was the 50th day of the Boeing strike, by more than 30,000 machinists.

The longest Boeing strike, in 1948, lasted more than six months.

"Then we had the Boeing strike, and the shutdown in the auto industry," he continued.

The drop reflected the Boeing strike, which ended in December.

Renewed aircraft business after the Boeing strike contributed to a 1.9 percent rise in factory orders for December.