Striking Boeing machinists to lose employee health care benefits Tuesday

WASHINGTON — Boeing factory workers who are currently on strike in the Puget Sound region will lose company-paid health care benefits “effective end of day” Monday if they don’t return to work.According to Boeing’s website, union members who “return to work during the strike on or after Oct. 1” will have their “active health and insurance coverages (as in effect immediately prior to the strike) will be reinstated prospectively as of the return-to-work date.”Monday marks day 18 of the Boeing machinists’ union strike. Union leaders said contract talks “broke off” with the company after their latest bargaining session Friday.Under Washington state law, workers who lose health insurance due to a strike or labor dispute can apply for health and dental insurance through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. Workers who lose coverage due to a strike have a 60-day special enrollment period before and after employer coverage ends, according to Senate Bill 5632,…