More than 1,000 engineers represented by SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001, at Spirit AeroSystems have a new four-year contract.

Validated and counted at the SPEEA Wichita office Monday (Nov. 25), the final tally showed 249 to accept and 229 to reject. A total of 478 Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) dues-paying members cast valid ballots.

The new four-year contract takes effect Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 1, 2028.

The agreement will increase the amount of money available for wage increases for Spirit engineers by at least 23%, including the promotional fund, over four years – with a provision for greater raises if needed to match labor-market conditions.

The deal also includes a guaranteed minimum 5% bonus in the spring of 2025 and increases the amount Spirit will contribute to the 401(k) retirement funds for the overwhelming majority of engineers in 2026. Other improvements include more vacation and parental leave.

Have questions about the Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) contract offer? Get answers at one of these informational meetings in the workplace next week.

The WEU Negotiations Team will be joined by staff focals to give an overview of the offer and why they recommend members vote to accept.

Not a dues-paying member?
Only SPEEA members get to vote! You can print and fill out the application form, sign both lines, and turn it into the SPEEA office or email it to vickim@speea.org.

After weeks of negotiations with Spirit AeroSystems, the Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) Negotiations Team unanimously recommends this
contract offer, which includes a number of gains based on survey feedback on priorities.

Contract offer red line now available for download!

“The WEU Negotiations Team worked hard to address priorities outlined in both surveys,” said Rich Plunkett, chief spokesperson for the SPEEA team. “While negotiations always involve give and take, the team unanimously recommends the offer based on the significant improvements in key areas, including wages, benefits and work/life balance.”

Not a dues-paying member?

Only SPEEA members get to vote! You can print and fill out the application form, sign both lines, and turn it into the SPEEA office or email it to vickim@speea.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the process

To learn more about the negotiations process, click here or go to www.speea.org (drop-down menu: Bargaining Units/Current Negotiations).

At this week’s Main Table negotiations, both the SPEEA Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) Negotiations Team and the Spirit leadership team exchanged proposals on economics, including raise pools, overtime, and time off.

Given the back-and-forth nature of negotiations, details will not be released until the offer is ready for a vote.

While we have been able to achieve some agreement on non-economic issues, we remain far apart relative to wages and benefits.

“I am disappointed by management’s valuation of the engineering workforce presented in the economics package,” said Brennan Macklin, WEU negotiation team member, after hearing management’s response to our proposal.

Other Main Table topics this week, included:

•	Office environment issues – Senior leaders presented information focused on environmental issues and infrastructure needs.
•	Financial situation at Spirit – Presented from the comptroller’s perspective.

Main Table Pause

Given the chasm between SPEEA and Spirit’s positions to date and the uncertainties associated with the continuation of the labor dispute at Boeing, both sides agreed to take a three-week break and will return to Main Table to continue negotiations the week of Oct. 28.

The Company has agreed to work on the outstanding data requests during the break and will keep SPEEA apprised of the Boeing situation during this time.

The WEU team will continue to meet internally and prepare for negotiations to resume. The team is also planning a short, dues-paying members-only survey during the interim to finetune priorities.

It is critical for the WEU negotiation team to receive your support during these difficult negotiations. The Contract Action and negotiation team members will continue to reach out to increase membership.

The negotiation team is grateful for long-term members and the individuals who have recently signed up for membership. However, the current membership at 52% remains insufficient and has emboldened Spirit to take advantage of the situation. Our membership numbers are not sending a message of strength.

Show solidarity

•	Wear red on Fridays – Building on the success of red shirts to kick off negotiations, join us in wearing red on Fridays. Stronger together!
•	No Nerds, No Birds in email signature – Change your signature block. Many members are telling us they love the ‘No Nerds, No Birds’ stickers. Show your support by adding the attached graphic to your signature block or inserting the text: “No Nerds, No Birds – I support WEU Negotiations!”

 

Not a member?

There is strength in numbers, and the more SPEEA members we have in the unit, the stronger our bargaining position will be. Also, if your non-member co-workers want any kind of say in our future wages, benefits or working conditions, they have to join now. Only SPEEA members get to vote!

You can print and fill out the application form, sign both lines, and turn it into the SPEEA office or email it to vickim@speea.org.

Your SPEEA Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) Negotiation Team has been meeting with management representatives for the last two weeks to work on ideas, concepts, and language to address the important issues members identified in the survey.

Specific topics this week included addressing the disconnect between employees and their managers. The team also discussed documentation associated with career development and meaningful feedback on performance from both the employee and the company perspectives.

"We didn’t expect to spend this much time defending portions of our current contract,” said Ben Blankley, SPEEA WEU Negotiations Team member. “We are working hard to improve the contract based on your feedback.”

Next week’s agenda is to begin discussing the economic portions of the contract, including wage pools and work life balance.

Show support for your team and your contract

•	Donuts with Dimas -- SPEEA President John Dimas will be in town – Monday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hallway outside the IPB-3 cafeteria. Joining Dimas will be Midwest Regional Vice President Chris Streckfus and other SPEEA Wichita activists who stepped up their efforts to support negotiations. Stop by for a free donut and conversation.
•	Change your signature block -- Many members are telling us they love the ‘No Nerds, No Birds’ stickers. Show your support by adding the attached graphic to your signature block or inserting the text: “No Nerds, No Birds – I support WEU Negotiations!”

Not a member?

There is strength in numbers, and the more SPEEA members we have in the unit, the stronger our bargaining position will be. Also, if your non-member co-workers want any kind of say in our future wages, benefits or working conditions, they have to join now. Only SPEEA members get to vote!

You can print and fill out the application form, sign both lines, and turn it into the SPEEA office or email it to vickim@speea.org.

The SPEEA Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) continues to meet with Spirit AeroSystems leaders at Main Table.

The recent discussions covered workforce issues, performance feedback, the use of contractors, and job security, including layoff benefits. 

Most of the current work is focused on non-economic aspects of the contract. Both sides have tentatively agreed to minor updates for some contract articles.

The WEU Negotiations Team is committed to keeping you informed, although we may not have a message each day. Continue to show your solidarity in the workplace with desk tents, SPEEA stickers, buttons, and more.

Not a member?

There is strength in numbers, and the more SPEEA members we have in the unit, the stronger our bargaining position will be. Also, if your non-member co-workers want any kind of say in our future wages, benefits or working conditions, they have to join now. Only SPEEA members get to vote!

You can print and fill out the application form, sign both lines, and turn it into the SPEEA office or email it to vickim@speea.org.

The SPEEA Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) kicked off Main Table negotiations with Spirit AeroSystems today (Sept. 17).

Following introductions, SPEEA and Spirit gave opening comments, established ground rules and explained their high-level priorities.

Later in the meeting, the SPEEA WEU team proposed benefit enhancements across the board. This portion of the proposal included improvements to healthcare costs and coverage, leaves of absence, retirement benefits and more.

The five SPEEA members of the WEU Negotiations Team are your coworkers. They represent your interests based on issues coming from the workplace meetings, the survey and direct feedback. Their goal is to negotiate a contract that will recognize the value and contributions of engineers.

"We want to turn Spirit into a destination workplace -- not just a stepping stone," said Derek Milligan, WEU Negotiations Team member.

Communication process

The WEU Negotiations Team will continue to provide updates throughout the negotiations process. When the contract offer is ready for a vote, SPEEA will share the details of the offer with a summary and a contract red-line showing the changes. At that time, members of the negotiation team will host lunchtime meetings to discuss the contract offer and answer questions.

Text 'WEU' to 30644 to opt in for text alerts!

Link to WEU negotiation process

Our Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) bargaining team is working hard this week to finalize a contract proposal, which we will present to Spirit AeroSystems managers starting next Tuesday, Sept. 17. That's the day we start negotiations on our new collective bargaining agreement.

Our WEU proposal will be based on the priorities identified by SPEEA-represented employees: improved wages, benefits and work-life balance.

What can you do?

WEAR RED on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Show solidarity with each other and the bargaining team by wearing a red SPEEA shirt. Don't have one? No problem: Call the Wichita SPEEA office at (316) 682-0262 and make arrangements to stop by and pick one up. Or wear a Chiefs jersey! Any red shirt will do.

Talk to non-members: Remind your non-member co-workers that if they want any kind of say in our future wages, benefits or working conditions, they must join now. Only dues-paying members get to vote!

Stay engaged: As talks continue throughout the fall, look for updates from your WEU team here, in the Spotlite magazine and at your home email address (sign up here if you haven't yet).

Not a member?

Only dues-paying members are able to exercise their voice by voting on the contract. If you're not a member yet, sign a card today -- it's easy and we'll tell you how below! There are different options so you can decide what's best for you.

You can sign a membership card through the online SPEEA Membership Portal after registering. Alternatively, you can print and fill out the application form, sign it and turn it into the SPEEA office, a Council Rep or Negotiation Team member. You can also submit it via email to vickim@speea.org.

It's time! After months of preparations, your five-member Wichita engineering Unit (WEU) bargaining team will start negotiations with Spirit AeroSystems managers on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

We anticipate talks will continue throughout the fall, as your WEU negotiations team bargains for improved wages, benefits and working conditions, based on the priorities you identified in the survey, lunchtime meetings and feedback to team members.

When it's ready, our bargaining team will share Spirit management's final offer with SPEEA members and communicate the process for union members to vote. Our current contract with Spirit expires on Dec. 1.

What can you do? WEAR RED!

Wear red for the start of Main Table talks on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Show solidarity with each other and the bargaining team by wearing red for the first day of talks. If you don't want to wear a red SPEEA shirt, any red shirt will do. If you need a red SPEEA T-shirt, we have them available at the SPEEA office. Be sure to call the office at (316) 682-0262 before coming by.

Talk to non-members

There is strength in numbers, and the more SPEEA members we have in the unit, the stronger our bargaining position will be. Also, if your co-workers who are not dues-paying members want any kind of say in our future wages, benefits or working conditions, they have to join now.

Only SPEEA members get to vote

If you're not a dues-paying member, you can sign a membership card through the online SPEEA Member Portal after registering. Alternatively, you can print out and fill out the application form, sign it and turn it into the SPEEA office, a Council Rep or Negotiation Team member. You can also submit it via email to vickim@speea.org. Sign up today and have a say!

Stay informed

Look for updates from your WEU team here, in Spotlite magazine and via home email. Visit linktr.ee/SPEEA to sign up for home email, view SPEEA publications, social media and more! Text "WEU" to 30644 to opt in for text alerts specific to your bargaining unit.

SPEEA members are signing up to attend the Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) Contract Action Team (CAT) kickoff. Are you one of them? This is a virtual meeting, Monday, Aug. 26, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

If you haven’t already signed up – let us know you’re coming. RSVP to vickim@speea.org and provide your personal email to receive Zoom link information.

About the meeting

Learn about the process and tools to help garner awareness and visibility for SPEEA in the workplace. Become a CAT member to show your support for your WEU Negotiations Team.

More visibility at work strengthens our team’s ability to negotiate a contract that improves our workplace priorities and issues. Your efforts can make a difference!

Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU)
Contract Action Team Kickoff
Monday, Aug. 26
Virtual via Zoom

RSVP to vickim@speea.org and provide your personal email to receive Zoom link information.

Meet your Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) Negotiations Team. They want to hear from you with your contract questions and concerns!

	R Matthew Joyce (chair) • Senior Systems integration engineer • 33 years at Spirit (Boeing) • rmatthew.joyce@cox.net
	Laura Dame Santry (vice chair) • Materials and Process engineer - Sealant SME (Defense) • 5+ years at Spirit • laura.santry@icloud.com
	Ben Blankley (secretary) • Lead design engineer for mechanical and electrical subsystems (Defense) • 17 years at Spirit • ben.blankley@gmail.com
	Brennan Macklin • Stress engineer - Strategic Program • 5 years at Spirit • brennan.macklin@outlook.com
	Derek Milligan • Lead stress engineer - Project Maverick (Defense) • 12 years at Spirit • derekam42@gmail.com

What's next

The team continues to work on the draft contract proposal to prepare for Main Table negotiations in September.

When our team goes to Main Table, we plan to send status updates to personal email and text subscribers only. If you haven't signed up for personal email, now is the time -- click here to do so. For text alerts, text "WEU" to 30644.

Not a Dues-Paying Member? Your negotiation team needs your help! Our power is in our membership. Sign a membership card today to grow our power and make your voice heard when it's time to vote.

Contact your Council Rep or sign up through the Member Portal.