Posted updated 5/2/2022
Starting Monday, May 2
Spirit AeroSystems open enrollment
WICHITA – Attention Midwest SPEEA members! Open enrollment to make changes to your health care plan starts Monday, May 2. Review your options and make changes before the window closes on Thursday May 12.
Open enrollment is the only time of the year to make routine changes to your health care plan unless you have a qualified status change during the year. The 2022-2023 plan year enrollment is “active” enrollment, meaning employees must take action in order to have benefits.
Watch for the special section with more information about your options in the May edition of SPEEA Spotlite.
Visit the “Medical” page under “Medical & Retirement” on this website and watch for the Spirit Open Enrollment seminar.
Posted 4/28/2022
Northwest Council elects new secretary
David Garrett
At the April 14 meeting, Northwest Council Reps voted to elect David Garrett to become the new Northwest Council secretary.
Garrett, an Everett Council Rep, fills the unexpired term previously held by Mike Arrington who now serves on the Executive Board.
The Northwest Council secretary serves as the recording officer of the Council and collects and makes available the minutes of all meetings of the Northwest Council and committees. The secretary also performs the duties of the Northwest Council treasurer if the treasure is absent.
Garrett is a former Area Rep and Teller who has been a Council Rep since 2019.
Posted 4/14/2022
What is the PRO Act?
Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is landmark legislation that gives workers a fair chance to organize a labor union at work without employer interference. Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, the legislation (H.R. 842 and S.420) now awaits a vote in the Senate.
This federal legislation, if passed by the Senate, accomplishes two primary objectives:
Ensures workers can collectively push for the changes they want to
see at their jobs without fear of retaliation.
Strengthen workers’ rights to form a union and negotiate for the
changes they choose.
Currently, there are no penalties for employers who illegally retaliate against, or fire workers for collective action to organize. Today’s labor laws are outdated and fail to protect working people who voice concerns or seek workplace improvements.
Posted 4/1/2022 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Application period open for NW Council STEM grant
For those interested in applying for a Northwest Council grant related to Science, Technology,
Engineering or Math (STEM),click here for application.
The grants are distributed to help non-profit organizations promoting 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.
The grant deadline is Monday, Aug. 15.
Apply for grant review committee
You can apply for the committee to review STEM grant applications along with the Northwest
Council officers. The committee 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, Thursday, June 30.
Posted 3/4/2022
SPEEA stands in Solidarity with Ukraine
SEATTLE – Members of SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001, stand with our fellow aerospace professionals and all citizens of Ukraine to call on Russian leaders to end their senseless invasion of this sovereign nation.
Facing death and destruction of their country and way of life, the citizens of Ukraine are showing unmatched bravery to save their democracy and protect their freedom.
We support the continued use of sanctions to help stop this war. The small inconvenience these measures place on us is no comparison to the hardships and sacrifices borne by the people of Ukraine.
As a union formed and maintained by collective action, we stand in Solidarity with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian people, and the people of the world to call on Russia to end this conflict.
Posted 1/7/2022
Executive Board SPEEA supports labor issues and union actions
The SPEEA Executive Board continues to support labor issues and our fellow labor unions in their fights for better labor contracts. When called for, some letters also include a donation to support striking workers.
Among the most recent support efforts and letters are:
The letters were also sent to respective state and local labor councils.
The Boeing Company Virtual work is agreement between manager/employee
SPEEA received reports Boeing may require all employees working virtually to do so from a location covered by the Puget Sound (Tech or Prof) contracts. For some, this means relocating from current virtual locations back to the Puget Sound region or other areas covered by the contracts.
Despite what managers are telling impacted employees, SPEEA did NOT request this change. Virtual work arrangements are coordinated between SPEEA-represented employees and their managers.
Those who may be impacted are encouraged to contact their manager to discuss possible options or accommodations, such as long-term telecommuting or taking a leave of absence.
If concerns are not resolved, members should document the conversation and then talk to your SPEEA Council Representative.
Information in LOU-13 relating to Virtual Office/Telecommuting of theProf and Tech contracts may be helpful.
