Fri, Jul 09, 2004
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.
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