Our choice for momentous event: IAM-Boeing contract

Note: Highs and Lows for 2011: see AirInsight.

In our previous post, we gave readers a choice of the most momentous event for 2011 for Airbus and Boeing; and who was the most influential person for the year and what would be the predictive momentous event for 2012.

We agree with three of the four readers’ choice but disagree for the momentous vote for Boeing. We think it was the IAM-Boeing contract agreed to nearly a year ahead of the amendable date of September 2012. This agreement extended a new contract for four years and is heralding a new era of cooperation between the union and the company.

Here’s why we think this agreement beats out the 787, the readers’ choice, as Boeing’s most momentous event in 2011.