Vote Was Overwhelming

Technical and professional workers at Boeing approved a new four-year contract Thursday, capping four months of negotiations. The new contract includes the first ever incentive plan for salaried union represented employees, guaranteed pay increases and an opportunity to form a working partnership between the bargaining unit and Boeing. The approval after four months of negotiations, avoided a strike by the 3,400-employee Wichita Technical and Professional Unit (WTPU) of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace.

The contract was approved by 87% of the voting members. The tally showed 1,024 voting to accept, with 150 voting to reject the contract offer. Two previous offers were rejected by the bargaining unit. The previous contract expired Feb. 19.

"Employees forced the company to improve their offer each time it went to vote," said Steve Smith, chair of the Negotiations Team. "We will keep fighting for what is right for members and all represented employees." The union held a special meeting for members at the Century II Convention Hall to hear details of the contract before general voting started Wednesday.

"There are some positive sides of this contract that could only come from a union negotiated contract," said Bob Brewer, Midwest director. "Employees have locked in those gains, which is a very important accomplishment for their futures, families and communities."

Employees will receive a one-time bonus of $1,800. Salary increases come from wage pools of 3.5 percent in year one and 3 percent in years two and three of the contract. Increases in the fourth year will be based on market salaries at that time. This year's increases are retroactive to March 5. Individual employees are guaranteed increases of $750 in year one, $500 in year two, nothing in year three and $750 in the final year of the agreement. The offer requires employees to pay 12 percent of the cost of the traditional medical plan in year one and 18 percent starting in year two.

The union also secured a no-premium plan as an option for employees. The contract will also include language that addresses employees' concerns in the event Boeing sells the Wichita Commercial Airplane Division. SPEEA represents 20,000 engineers, technical and other professional at The Boeing Company.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.speea.org