Boeing reviewing 54 sites for production of 777X jetliner

[CHICAGO] Boeing is reviewing 54 sites in 22 states for production of its 777X aircraft after talks with its largest labour union ended.

The Chicago-based plane-maker responded to a Machinists union proposal last week with a counter-offer that would have frozen pensions in 2016 with workers shifted to a 401K-like plan in exchange for Boeing's guarantee to keep work on the jetliner in Washington state.

"We've listened to the union leadership and had an open dialogue in hopes of moving towards each other," Ray Conner, chief executive officer of Boeing's commercial aircraft unit, said in an e-mailed statement. "Unfortunately the offer, which would have ensured this great airplane for the Puget Sound region, was immediately rejected by the union leadership."