Members of the Machinists Union at Boeing will vote today on what may be a defining moment with the company. Boeing has offered to extend the contact with the union, which means the wing work for the new 777X airplane in this area. If members reject the deal, the company says the work will go elsewhere.

We urge members to vote “yes.”

We know many union members are upset at the contact extension offer. It comes with a number of concessions, including a change in their pension program. And while we sympathize with their feelings, the contract offer reflects a change other companies are making throughout many industries. Like it or not, it’s a new reality.

What union members must focus on are jobs. Accept the contract extension and jobs — good paying one — stay here for those now employed at Boeing and the thousands to come un the future. Reject the contract and jobs will disappear year after year after year.

Union members rejected an earlier offer from Boeing. The company has modified its proposal. Local union officials opposed another vote, and called for another “no” vote once national union leaders scheduled the vote today. Clearly, the national leadership sees the obvious: a “no” vote means Boeing will move the work to an area where non-union members could be the ones doing the work. The company has received offers from 22 states to do the 777X work.

Change is never easy; often it is painful. This is one of those cases.

Change is going to come to local machinists in any case. A “no” vote will mean jobs for many of them will begin to disappear. A “yes” vote will mean jobs will remain and grow, even if the benefits are different.

A”yes” vote is the best option.

Craig Groshart is the editor of the Bellevue Reporter.