Federal Mediators Will Work With Both To Schedule A Resumption Of Discussions

Boeing and its engineering union have suspended talks on a new contract indefinitely, a move that has the approval of both sides of the dispute.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. Cohen issued the following statement Wednesday on the ongoing labor negotiations between the Boeing Company and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA):

"At the request of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, negotiations between The Boeing Company and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001 are being suspended until after the first of the year. Both sides agreed to this mediator request."

"In the interim, the FMCS will be in discussion with the parties to schedule resumption of negotiations."

According to a notice posted on the SPEEA website, Boeing "rejected a number of key SPEEA proposals (Tuesday) even as it continues to withhold economic data necessary for productive progress in our negotiations.

"Among the most serious items brought up by Boeing corporate negotiators is the insistence the company maintain its ability to shield new employees from the retention rating process. In practice, that ability allows Boeing to lay off more experienced, mid-career employees ahead of less experienced and lower-paid engineers and technical employees."
 
In October, SPEEA overwhelmingly rejected Boeing's first contract offer.

FMI: www.fmcs.gov