Boeing and Wichita Workers Far Apart
Boeing has maintained a facility in Wichita, KS for years. It has worked on commercial operations but also focused on military conversions. In 2005 Boeing sold off the commercial aspects of the operation and now it is working on a variety of U.S. and international programs modifying aircraft. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) union and Boeing have been negotiating a new contract since November but have failed to come to an agreement. MarketWatch.com has a press release from the Union saying that yesterday the Union’s members turned down the latest offer from Boeing, but did not authorize a strike. The workers will continue to work without a contract. There is a significant concern that Boeing will close the facility soon, although two of the programs it is working on — the 767 tanker for Italy and Japan and the Australian radar aircraft — are significantly behind. This may be why Boeing’s offer to the Union was so much less then the recent agreements with workers in Seattle.
Matthew Potter works supporting US Army aviation programs. He holds degrees in history as well as studying at the Defense Acquisition University. He has written for Seeking Alpha and at his own website, Defense Procurement News.
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