Monthlong Boeing strike at Calif. plant ends

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Boeing Co. workers who assemble C-17 planes in California have ended a monthlong strike that shut down the production line for the jumbo cargo jets in a feud over medical and pension benefits.

Nearly all the 1,700 United Aerospace Workers Local 148 mechanics in Long Beach walked out May 11, and a federal mediator brought negotiators together last week. A deal was struck Monday and the union urged ratification.

Chicago-based Boeing's spokeswoman, Cindy Anderson, said in a statement early Thursday that the union workers ratified a new 58-month contract. She says they could return to work "as early as Thursday and no later than Monday."

The union website tells members: "The contract has been ratified. Return to work."