SPEEA ballots go out next week: Recommendation is reject contract, authorize strike

Boeing engineers and technical workers will begin voting next week on whether to accept or reject the company’s final contract offer  - and if they reject it, whether to strike.

The Professional and Technical Bargaining Unit Councils of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, voted Thursday to include the strike authorization vote. The recommendation has been to reject the contract.

There was one dissenting vote in making the recommendation to SPEEA's 23,000 members.

In a statement Boeing expressed disappointment in the recommendation to reject what it called its best and final offer.

“However, the ultimate decision rests with our employees. We hope they run the numbers for themselves and vote for what’s best for them and the long-term competitiveness of the company,” the statement read.

“This is an offer that leads the market by all measures. We’ve met SPEEA’s interests by extending the current contract another four years for current employees, rewarding them for the contributions they bring to the company every day,” the statement continued.

“Other than our competitors, no one benefits from a strike - not our employees, our customers, the community or the company,” the statement read.

Ballot packages are scheduled to be mailed Tuesday. Members have until 5 p.m. Feb. 19 to cast and submit their votes. Summaries and full redline versions of the Boeing contract offers are posted on the SPEEA website, according to the union.

Thousands of union members listened to negotiation teams during lunchtime meetings and open house events at SPEEA halls. A full schedule of workplace meetings is on the SPEEA calendar and the website.

“A strong contract rejection of the offers and strike authorization will give the negotiation teams additional bargaining power to secure contracts that respect SPEEA members’ contributions to Boeing’s continued success,” a SPEEA press release stated.

Contact Renton Reporter Editor Dean Radford at editor@rentonreporter.com or 1-425-255-3484 (ext 5050).

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