Opposition Quiets In Face Of Tough Management Stand

Angry over their forced separation from Boeing and the subsequent offer from their plants' new owners, SPEEA workers nonetheless voted overwhelmingly to approve a new contract with Onex-owned Mid-Western Aircraft.

The company stood firm in its negotiations with labor after taking over three Boeing Commercial Aircraft plants in Kansas and Oklahoma. More than 1,100 workers were reportedly laid off in the transfer of ownership.

"It's something we think we can make work," SPEEA Midwest director Bob Brewer told the Wichita Eagle. Ninety-percent of SPEEA members approved the contract in voting that began last week.

The SPEEA vote came just two weeks after union machinists at the former Boeing plants in Wichita, Tulsa and McAlester, OK, approved their contract with Mid-Western with 89-percent of the vote. In both cases, workers gained pay but lost some benefits, according to union leaders.

Onex managing director Nigel Wright said the Canadian company was "pleased" to have concluded labor negotiations with the unions.

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