Saying it’s the longest negotiations of its history, the union representing Boeing Wichita engineers is planning a rally today.
Boeing and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace have been in talks since November. Earlier this month, members rejected the company’s offer of a contract. SPEEA represents about 700 engineers at Boeing in Wichita.
SPEEA said it may ask for federal mediation in the talks.
The rally will be held at 4 p.m. at the Marriott Courtyard hotel in Old Town.
15 Comments
Not the best economic environment in which to be striking….
While the rest of us in this community are losing our jobs in this economy, don’t the engineers at Boeing realize how greedy this makes them look? They’re holding out for a more money and more benefits, while the rest of us are struggling to get by and fearful that we won’t. I hope they all rot. It would serve them right if Boeing closed their doors and moved the entire operation off shore.
Before the go to the rally, they should freshen up their resume because its just a matter of time before Boeing and like companies say “that’s enough” and move it to another state or low-cost country.
Its time the Union is spun off as its own outsourcing company. Put them at the same level as Manpower or Adecco… Also let Boeing and the rest put those employees on their books as an expense, not labor. Its a win win situation…
Thank the good Lord you have a job and stop complaining.
You people have no idea what the facts are. Boeing offered 4 other sites much better contracts. What they offered the engineers here is a slap in the face. You want to be an engineer? Get an education. No one is stopping you. Better yet, get an education, find a better job and quit complaining. It is obvious Boeing plans to eventually leave Wichita. This contract is just one more step. Every time a good paying job is lost many more people suffer. Who do you think keeps this town running? The aircraft industries. Their employees buy the goods and services and go out to eat so others without good paying jobs can survive.
i don’t work for boeing. however, we do supply them. i just pray that they will think about what they DO have, especially in this economy. if they strike it won’t affect just them, and what they stand to lose will NEVER be made up. i’m just glad to be able to get up and put my work shoes on in the morning. thank you lord for another day.
“What they offered the engineers here is a slap in the face.”
Than go work somewhere else… I am a contractor, I make my own rules… I had a company the other day offer me 1/4 of what I make, I said, no way, no how and walked away.
Boeing is giving you their offer, either take it or walk away.
had to reply to newsletter!
what a great idea. they would make more $$$ as a “contractor” but they’d also have to pay the big bucks for insurance. also alot of those places only give you 40 hours a year for ETO. i did that for a short time and decided i like home and a (semi)stable employer and the benefits that go with it.
I am willing to bet an entire years salary that by the time my kids go to work in a real job, there wont be employees any more, there will only be contractors. Ive been a contractor for 10 years, ill take contractor any day over employee. High end employees, such as engineers and tech people will become 100% contractor jobs. Benifits, id rather have it in cash any day than accept stock options for these companies.
tomko, I believe peolpe do have an idea and though I agree wichita is largley air craft driven, there are other industries here. the other sites you speak of are in areas with substantialy higher costs of living and if you get the actual figures and do the math I am sure you would find the offer is comparable to the other markets. All in all this does’nt matter. Manufacturing operations in global markets can pick up and move anywhere, anytime at the drop of a hat whith just a few key people. and they will if pushed to that means of being proffitabe….. STOP PUSHING!!
Navekblue I have to disagree with you. Cost of living is not a factor (it is taken into account) and 2-3% a year doesn’t even keep up with inflation. That is nothing compared to Boeing’s expenses. Add to that take aways in medical care and you’re going backwards, not fowards. Boeing is leaving no matter what. If you want to know why the economy is in such a mess, all you have to do is look at all the middle class jobs the politicians and executives have outsourced to India and China and the like that have no expenses. They also have no responsibility for the environment, their employees, etc. Look at the way they live. Look at the water they drink. You can thank your politicians and executives and Wall Street for selling out our country for their own profit. The executives make millions and the politicians won’t even pay their taxes. Please contact your representitives and say we’ve had enough.
The union is fighting to keep jobs in Wichita and in American and against Boeing taking away current benefits. The managers pay themselves extra bonuses by taking income away from the employees. Union members fight to protect all workers including those that feel management deserves much much more than their own families.
Engineers at Boeing, your so good, go and please go get a better job!
its easy…put yur large ass mouths out there and leave…please!
What? no one will pay u any better?
mmm…vote with your skill level and stick it to Boeing by leaving, go on, get ur ass off your union fat seat.
What? no better offer.
put up or shut up!
Market forces will dictate your future.
Q: why dont you all put your houses as securities, get backed by the great union and do it yourselves?
A: No balls, not happenin.
“Please contact your representitives and say we’ve had enough.”
Lets see here… everytime someone trys to put restrictions on management, i.e. Obama saying bank CEO’s cant make more than 500k, its called socialism. Union members, are prehaps the dumbest people on earth. They vote republican because of social issues and the same people (Brownback, Tihart, et al) are the ones for free market, free business, etc… that means the business has the power, you union people have none. If you want to keep your jobs here, vote Democrat…