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In an unprecedented move, the Boeing Co. locked out its unionized Washington state Fire Fighters May 4.
Local I-66 President Casey Yeager said his negotiating team presented Boeing on April 29 with a “reasonable, meet-in-the-middle” contract proposal that represented a compromise between the union’s initial demands and Boeing’s twice-rejected offer.
“Boeing refused to consider it,” he said. “The company told us we’ll have to take the offer we’ve already rejected twice, because we won’t get anything better. Now with this lockout, it’s trying to bully us into accepting a bad contract.”
Join the picket lines during non-work hours.
See entire article |
Salary charts for the SPEEA-represented Prof and Tech employees at The Boeing Company are online (drop-down menu: Member Tools).
Access is password-protected and requires work email and BEMS ID. See instructions for accessing the charts on the web page.
Salary chart access is also available in the SPEEA member portal at member.speea.org.
Salary charts for SPEEA-represented employees at Spirit AeroSystems will be updated when the data is available (typically later in the summer).
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SPEEA Aerospace Career Enhancement (ACE) has a number of classes in the next two months to help you grow your professional and technical skills.
The classes are offered online or in person at the SPEEA Puget Halls.
Some of the many classes coming up are:
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- Aerospace 101: Computer Aided Design & Drone Building | Hands-On at SPEEA Everett May 6, 13, 20, 29, & June 3, 4-8 p.m. (PT): Learn the end-to-end process of building and programming DIY drones. The course will culminate in a final project where the participants will build a complete drone from scratch and program its flight patterns. Participants will be taught how to fly their DIY drones.
- Interview Time - Be Ready! | Virtual May 7, 5-6:30 p.m. (PT): Part of our Mentorship Program. Understanding how to develop strong examples, how to show up both virtually and in person and how to anticipate the key questions you will be asked to set yourself apart from the other candidates.
- Presentation Skills for Engineers & Aerospace Professionals | In-Person at SPEEA Everett May 14 & 16, 5-8 p.m. (PT): Mastering PowerPoint presentations in engineering is crucial, involving many details. It's not just about sharing information but keeping your audience interested. The goal of this course is to refine your ability to effectively convey your message in a captivating and memorable way.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – SPEEA, IFPTE 2001 proudly joins fellow aerospace labor unions in congratulating the U.S. House and Senate leadership for their collaborative efforts in achieving a bipartisan agreement on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill.
Passage of this legislation demonstrates congressional dedication to strengthening the FAA and prioritizing crucial aspects of aviation safety. Further, the increased funding for the Aviation Workforce Development Program, along with the introduction of a new grant program for our manufacturing workforce, represents a vital investment in our nation’s aerospace workers, ensuring the ongoing leadership of the U.S. in aerospace.
See entire story |
Northwest SPEEA members are casting ballots to select two candidates to serve as SPEEA-Area Northwest Vice Presidents on the IFPTE Executive Council. Ballot packages were mailed April 29 to regular members in good standing in SPEEA's Northwest region.
Look for an envelope from us marked 'IFPTE SPEEA-Area NW VP Ballot Enclosed.' Each package includes voting instructions, candidate statements, a ballot, a ballot envelope and a post-paid return envelope.
Replacement ballots
If you have not received your ballot by Monday, May 6, or need a replacement, email amberm@speea.org. Include your full name, BEMS ID and preferred email address.
Seven candidates submitted valid petitions for the two seats. They are listed below in ballot order as determined in a random drawing by the Northwest Tellers:
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- Dan Nowlin
- Emily Brent-Fulps
- David Garrett
- John Dimas
- Shaunna Winton
- Christopher Tracy
- Ryan Rule
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Use the postage-paid return envelope to mail your ballot or drop it into the secured ballot Box at SPEEA's Tukwila or Everett halls by noon, Wednesday, May 15. Ballots arriving after the deadline are not counted no matter the postmark date. Be sure to write your first / last name and employee number on the back of the return envelope for verification purposes.
Ballot results wil be posted here, following counting and certification by the NW Tellers. The two candidates with the most votes will be formally nominated and elected at the 61st Triennial IFPTE Convention this July.
Federal laws prohibit the use of company or union resources, such as bulletin boards, email or printers, in campaigning. This applies to the candidates and their supporters. |
One of the first steps in the Prof and Tech negotiation process is to kick off the Northwest Negotiations Preparation Committee (NPC).
NW Negotiation Prep Committee
Monday, May13, 4:30 p.m.
Virtual – to register, email meetings@speea.org
If you’re a Northwest SPEEA member interested in collective bargaining and want to help lay the groundwork for the 2026 Prof and Tech contract negotiations, plan to be there.
- Open to all regular, dues-paying members in good standing in the Prof or Tech units
- Will include former negotiation team members
Responsibilities include research, surveys and lunchtime meetings for members to learn more.
At the kickoff, attendees will elect committee officers, including one Prof and one Tech co-chair. The purpose and objectives of the committee will also be discussed. |
Following the recent election of President John Dimas, there is now an interim vacancy on SPEEA's Executive Board for Northwest vice president. The Northwest Council will elect a member to fill this vacancy at its June 5 special meeting.
Candidates must meet the minimum qualification of continuous SPEEA membership for at least two years. To run, email your signed petition, position, platform statement and answers to Council questions to petitions@speea.org by Tuesday, May 21 by 4:30 p.m. (PT).
Click here to view the full election guide and petition. |
| Union firefighters at Boeing on Monday rejected a second contract offer from the company.
The members of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local I-66 had rejected a previous Boeing offer on March 3. Union leaders say they are willing to continue talks in hope of reaching an agreement that brings pay up to the level of other Puget Sound fire departments, increases staffing to internationally recognized standards and reduces the amount of time it takes firefighters to reach the top of their pay scale.
SPEEA’s Executive Board sent a letter of support to the union’s leadership.
Local I-66 staffs Boeing fire stations at Auburn, Everett, Frederickson, Renton, Seattle and Moses Lake.
Along with being lifesaving first responders to accidents and medical emergencies on Boeing property, these specialized fire fighters are on hand whenever a Boeing aircraft is fueled or takes off for a delivery or test flight. The fire prevention work they do has saved the company billions of dollars in insurance premiums.
Read the letter |
Are you a Northwest SPEEA member involved in STEM outreach? Apply for a Northwest Council grant related to Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM).
Click here for application
The deadline to apply is Monday, Aug. 15.
The grants are distributed to help non-profit organizations promote students’ interest in STEM-related careers.
Grant applications can only be submitted by Northwest members who are connected to the organization as a coach, mentor or parent with a student involved, for example.
Past STEM grant recipients include robotics teams affiliated with For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) and the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF).
Northwest SPEEA members are encouraged to apply for the committee reviewing STEM grant applications. The committee, which includes Northwest Council officers, provides its recommendation to the Council for a vote.
To apply for the STEM Grant Review Committee, email nw_stem_grants@speea.org with your contact information and school district where you live by noon, Friday, June 28. |
Congratulations to Benjamin Blankley, Laura Dame Santry, R Matthew Joyce, Brennan Macklin and Derek Milligan. They were elected March 13 to serve on the Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU). Negotiation Team. The WEU Bargaining Unit Council Reps voted to determine the negotiation team members.
In addition to negotiations training, the team will meet regularly with staff to prepare for contract negotiations with Spirit AeroSystems. The SPEEA-Spirit WEU contract expires Dec. 1. |
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) panel of experts, which included SPEEA Director of Strategic Development Rich Plunkett, spent the past 14 months reviewing safety procedures and quality processes at the Boeing Co. Their report is out this morning.
Read more |
In an effort to improve quality and safety procedures at Boeing, SPEEA has proposed a new process that would protect unionized engineers and technicians who speak out about potential problems they see in their work area or even mistakes with their own work.
The proposed Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) would be a tri-party agreement signed by Boeing, SPEEA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). SPEEA brought the proposal forward in a meeting with Boeing executives on Jan. 31.
See Full Story
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Rich Plunkett, SPEEA director of strategic development, also serves on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Organization Designation Authorizations Expert Panel and recently joined the Department of Transportation (DOT) Aerospace Supply Chain Resiliency Task Force. |
By Rich Plunkett
SPEEA Director of Strategic Development
By now, most members have taken the Safety Management System (SMS) training “Product Safety: Every Decision Matters” and are aware of Boeing’s Speak Up system. Yet, few use the Speak Up program, preferring to rely upon less formal reporting methodologies (e.g., talking with your local manager, another member of management, etc.) with the assumption that they will resolve the concern and/or mitigate the hazard. Unfortunately, informal reporting mechanisms don’t guarantee the issue will find its way into the SMS as they do not have the formality of the Speak Up system.
Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun’s words during the presentation by executives regarding the Alaska Flight 1282 accident were: “Everything matters, every detail matters” and “… the strength is all of you speaking up.”
Boeing’s technical and engineering professionals are in powerful and unique positions to improve product safety and quality. We have a direct impact on the technical and safety matters under our control (i.e., what we are paid to do). We can also impact other safety areas with thoughtful suggestions on improvements to processes, decisions, protocols. Hence, we can answer Calhoun’s call to action by sharing our unique insights regarding all things that impact the collective ability to produce the greatest aviation products on the planet.
Boeing is just starting to embrace the concept of “Just Culture,” which encourages the reporting of safety concerns without fear of retaliation. Fortunately, SPEEA-represented employees have an additional layer of protection – Just Cause, which is found in Article 3 of the Engineering and Technical contracts. With these tools, we can move towards what is known as a “reporting culture.” To help with the redundant systems, please consider sending a copy of any Speak Up submittals to SpeakUp@speea.org. |
In response to calls from the media regarding Boeing’s recent communication on return-to-office expectations, SPEEA Executive Director Ray Goforth reiterated SPEEA’s position.
Right now, Boeing’s expectation is for our members to be in-office, but they’re letting managers have flexibility in allowing remote work, when it makes sense for their work group. We’d encourage Boeing to keep this status quo.
We’ve heard from some of our members that they will leave Boeing if they are forced to be in-office full time. We wouldn’t expect to see people quit their jobs, however, until the company actually mandates that.
Boeing has the ability, under our current contract, to both allow and terminate remote work arrangements at its discretion. However, in Letter of Understanding 13, Boeing acknowledges that remote work is “a viable option” that can “benefit both the company and the individual.”
We believe the data shows that remote work has proven its value. The SPEEA Council in October passed a resolution of continued support for remote-work options.
If Boeing can outsource engineering work to Poland or India – effectively letting those workers telecommute from other continents – it can and should also allow its aerospace professionals living in Stanwood or Sumner to work remotely too. |
While Boeing continues to push for individuals to speak up when they see something and otherwise operate as informed, intelligent individuals, some managers are pushing for containment.
One of those measures is to keep employees in their current positions when the individual wants to transfer to another Boeing job. SPEEA’s Prof and Tech contracts limit the amount of time a manager can keep an employee from transferring, which is contrary to the new, non-union enterprise practice.
Our contracts reference an older Boeing policy that includes a number of important details. The policy includes a process for “Critical Situations” related to retention of employees which logically includes visibility to and the approval of a vice president.
For all other situations, employees are considered “releaseable” 12 months after their date of hire, rehire, recall from layoff or being transferred at their own request. The policy also includes the caveat below:
Release earlier than 12 months or from an established program or job assignment conclusion date may be authorized when the releasing management determines such release to be in the best interest of the company and employee.
If you are told you cannot take another position due to not being in your job long enough, email speea@speea.org and ask for your contract administrator. See your contract online at www.speea.org (drop-down menu: Bargaining Units/Contracts). |
The Boeing Company’s unilateral corporate edict for employees to return to the workplace is more focused on workplace optics than actual data regarding productivity.
SPEEA-represented employees continue to show high levels of productivity – whether working on-site or virtually.
Union leaders and staff have repeatedly engaged Boeing on the need to allow employees to work virtually. Despite Boeing acknowledging virtual work is not impacting productivity and the company’s elimination of many on-site work spaces, corporate remains committed to returning its employees to the workplace.
While requiring its own direct employees to return to the workplace, Boeing continues to outsource work to locations around the world – effectively allowing this outsourced work to be performed offsite.
The people who are entrusted to design, engineer and support the manufacturing of the world’s most sophisticated aerospace products should also be trusted by their employer to decide how to best get their group’s work statement completed. It is unfortunate management continues to assert its right to manage workers with less than adequate regard for the needs and well-being of its employees.
We encourage employees who want or need to continue working virtually to discuss their situation, viable options, and accommodations with their manager. Many local managers are working with employees and finding solutions such as long-term telecommuting or leave of absences.
Information in LOU-13 relating to Virtual Office/Telecommuting of the Prof and Tech contracts may be helpful. |
Committees are open to all members and cover a wide range of interests. Interested in politics? Join the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee. Other committees focus on diversity, member activities, new members, women's advocacy, veterans issues and other issues important to members. Attend a meeting to get a feel for the issues and activities. New issues and ideas are always welcome.
Established committees, along with their charter and officers are listed on the committee pages. For more information, attend a meeting or contact one of the committee officers.
SPEEA Committees Midwest Committees Northwest Committees |
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