Boeing Renton
Dugovich hopes it doesn't come to a strike, but he's not too optimistic heading back into negotiations on Wednesday. (KIRO Radio Photo/Chris Sullivan/File)

Strike looming for Boeing's engineers

BY Chris Sullivan  on January 7, 2013 @ 6:06 am (Updated: 10:01 am - 1/7/13 )

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Boeing's engineers and technical workers have only been on strike twice before, but there is growing concern that they are ready and willing to walk out this month if they don't get a deal they like.

Union members overwhelmingly rejected Boeing's first contract offer, and the union says Boeing hasn't put anything significantly different on the table since.

SPEEA's Bill Dugovich said the possibility of a strike is legitimate. "We have a significant number of people who wanted to take a strike vote two months ago, and that group is growing in size and number daily," he said.

Dugovich hopes it doesn't come to a strike, but he's not too optimistic heading back into negotiations on Wednesday. "We're hopeful but very concerned," Dugovich said.

Boeing and SPEEA have not held contract talks since early last month. A federal mediator told them to take a break over the holidays to help cool their emotions. The union filed another unfair labor practice complaint against Boeing last week, complaining that Boeing was intimidating its members by videotaping them during labor walks.

The two sides are still far apart on their wage and pension benefit packages.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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Comments (39)


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  • Concerned US Citizen wrote...
    South Carolina?
    January 7, 2013 6:59 am
    Nope, next Boeing plant will be out of the country completely. Wake up people you are going to kill the golden goose. Don't think so just look at GM and Chrysler. The UAW didn't think they would go under either.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Concerned
    January 7, 2013 9:57 am
    Don't confuse cars with airplanes. FAA certifications and licenses (and gov't contracts) have requirements that prevent your scenario.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 7, 2013 2:39 pm
    You might wanna take a closer look dude. Get outta that box your in.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @ScoSher77
    January 7, 2013 11:08 pm
    Is that why Boeing is hiring in puget sound ? Or Built a plant in SC? Let us know when Boeing starts building plants in Mexico...you might wanna take a closer look dude.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 8, 2013 11:01 am
    Tell us why they are hiring in Puget Sound or as to why they built a plant in SC or maybe if its correct about Mexico as to why they want to build elsewhere.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Next
    January 7, 2013 8:42 am
    Boeing Air Planes: Made in China. Thanks union!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @maplefish
    January 7, 2013 9:58 am
    Is that why Boeing is hiring in WA?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 7, 2013 3:02 pm
    It's probably because there are positions open from people advancing to another career, or retiring. Nahhh, that can't be why, nor could it be that most Boeings in other states are hiring too, not just WA! But, what do I know, I'm not as smart as you are apparently. LOL
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Ah yes, the strike of the month for loser Boeing employees
    January 7, 2013 8:58 am
    I don't care if its reported that they've struck a 3-year deal in the 11th hour...I KNOW there will be another strike threatend within months. Boeing, please go to SC and kill this union and send the LOSER members to the unemployment office!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @shark75
    January 7, 2013 10:07 am
    Fortunately WA workers are smarter than right wing suck ups and do not desire low wages and the loss of jobs that you do, WA is a good state for workers, I am glad that WA doesn't take the Republican destruction we see in Kansas or other southern states with low wages and no contracts. Smart workers use contracts, low information conservatives brown nose the boss instead of organizing!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 7, 2013 2:35 pm
    You so sure about that guy? That WA workers are the smartest of them all? You better go n get your facts straight son! So while you sit there and rap about southern states n their low wages n no contracts, you should be worried about the overseas peeps that will take the work away from people like you. Because you wanna sit there n b*tch n moan about low wages n benefits that your receiving. Like you deserve to be paid $100/hr, get a life dude, seriously! There is a song for people like you called "Cry me River"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @ScoSher77
    January 7, 2013 3:49 pm
    $100/hr? What are you smoking? here's something closer to reality.... http://www.iam751.org/pages/currentwagecard.htm
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 7, 2013 6:27 pm
    I don't need to look at that site, Ive seen it plenty of times. Reality is, you get paid a lot more then what your worth. And your benefits, are more then what most get. Wanna swap pay n benefits? I'm game. Bet your sweet bottom dollar you wont hear one complaint from me, ;)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 7, 2013 6:29 pm
    Why don't you comment on the other stuff too while your at it, instead of the $100/hr.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @ScoSher77
    January 7, 2013 8:28 pm
    Ok, I actually like the song "Cry me a River!" ;)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 7, 2013 9:41 pm
    LOL. Least someone else likes Justin Timberlake. ;)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • drdoug wrote...
    @ScoSher77
    January 8, 2013 6:12 am
    Perhaps you ought to consider getting a union, instead of complaining about benefits they negotiate for others? Boeing's profits are running very high - because of the dedication of it's employees. Isn't it reasonable to expect that those employees get a share of the expanded profit? Or should it all go in bonuses to senior managers? Conversely - we'll be happy to take the kind of cuts they are asking us to take ... as soon as senior managers do the same.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @drdoug
    January 8, 2013 10:53 am
    Honestly, if you look a bit closer, I'm not the one complaining about my benefits. I actually like mine and I do get a bonus at the end of the year and I am not management. As far as a union goes, I could care less about them, why because I come from a union family that lost their jobs due to the unions closing plants down years ago all because people were greedy. There are good points to them as well as bad, no different than any other job out there without one.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Maybe Flounder can finally get a job? . . . .
    January 7, 2013 9:58 am
    he works for lazy B ordering the parts from china. How is that working out for them? Bookkeep just hacked my account. Is this Me ha ha or flounder? What is a flounder?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • faithbased wrote...
    Not lazy or greedy
    January 7, 2013 10:47 am
    Most Boeing engineers are not Lazy or greedy. They are not requiring more than they already have, they just don't want to take less when the company is doing very well, thanks to their effort. I'm not a fan of the union and their propaganda, but I would vote to strike if we can't keep what we have now. I don't need gains, just don't take away anything. Our company is not hurting like the auto co. were.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Labor Peace (I hope my English and grammar is correct)
    January 7, 2013 11:22 am
    The company just thinks SPEEA is weak that's all.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Cigarfan = Brainwashed
    January 7, 2013 11:34 am
    Either that or greed washed. Good for you that you had a bunch of union thugs threaten the company to get you overpaid. I will cheer when you get your pink slip. There will be a point where the company tells you to go get F'ed...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    shark75=brown nose
    January 7, 2013 12:59 pm
    No Nerds....No Birds...and SPEEA is not about thugs ...it's about negotiation and being paid a living wage. Right wing suck ups are not on the side of the worker trying to feed his family but on the side of WALL STREET and the BOSSES. Only the worst kind of person bootlicks the boss and cheers when workers have no say in the wealth their labor creates.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    We went through a SPEEA strike before and produced "birds".
    January 7, 2013 5:34 pm
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Ron_Spins
    January 7, 2013 6:02 pm
    So why don't you finish the story?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 8, 2013 2:18 pm
    So tell the crowd what's a decent wage supposed to be seen as how we are on the big topic of money.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • UstiGuf wrote...
    VOTE NO on Strike
    January 20, 2013 2:11 pm
    I don't disagree with that. I think some of the employees, the lazy ones who use their UNION to hide behind are overpaid but there are others who aren't "overpaid" they are paid fair if not, a little under what they should be getting. The trouble is that many of these employees are just slugs. They do next to nothing in work while others are the ones picking up the slack. Managers can't get rid of free loaders either. These people who want a strike are insane. Maybe they've been working so long they have tons of savings and see the strike at a chance for a 'vacation' meanwhile others who haven't been there as long have a lot MORE TO LOSE should a strike occur.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sugarlove66 wrote...
    Wage update
    January 8, 2013 2:31 pm
    Wage page is not for Boeing Engineers. My boyfriend is a Boeing Engineer & most likely makes nearly 70.00 an hour..in WA..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @sugarlove66
    January 8, 2013 3:52 pm
    Thank you for clarifying that wage card. ;). So I am going to assume that cigarfan is either a non Boeing employee or a ticked off one cuz his panties are in a wad.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    HOURLY (IAM) vs SALARY (SPEEA) wages
    January 9, 2013 2:21 am
    When you take SPEEA wages...which are considered SALARY and not hourly...and use the HOURLY example (eg $100/hr)...I was merely using the HOURLY (IAM)wage card...to display an example. IF you have a SPEEA wage card URL...feel free to post the link! "most likely" is code for ...I don't have a SPEEA link .....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 9, 2013 12:44 pm
    Yep, Engineers are salary, and I'm guessing its anywhere from 80-150k a year. So, if they constantly keeping asking for more $$$, how can you justify that they even deserve it? Because of where they reside and an increase in cost of living which is rising everywhere not just WA. You guys are retarded.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @ScoSher77
    January 9, 2013 1:53 pm
    When your labor produces record profits, it's only natural to share in the wealth your labor produces. The starting wage for an entry level engineer is below 80K. Just as managers and executives salaries are tied to the lower wage workers, as SPEEA and IAM members have general wage increases and COLA's....so do their bosses profit from their increases. The real question is....are you on the side of the workers or the side of Wall street?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    @cigarfan
    January 14, 2013 8:27 pm
    Actually, I stand neutral. Entry level I'm sure is below 80k, it was a rough guess as well as the top out which I'm sure is much higher. Only reason why I stand neutral is because in some cases I agree with workers, but then again I don't because of unreal negotiations. So, the company cuts your pay, its better then no money, no job, no future. And I'm guessing you don't get paid to walk a picket line either, so I'm sure that's better than that too. And, if it really matters most, move to another location. I'm sure another part will take an experienced individual willing to show others the ropes. And just because other parts of the world are cheap labor, doesn't mean their under paid, could be a cheaper cost of living.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    Point of clarification
    January 14, 2013 11:56 pm
    You do get paid by the Union for walking a picket line -but not as much as your regular wages.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    Point
    January 15, 2013 8:18 pm
    Ok, so tell me this. Is going on strike for something that may or may not work out especially if it is dragged out for a long period of time worth it? What about from a company standpoint from losing ground to a competitor or the actual customer? Is it just about workers and pay?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    Is it worth it to strike/negotiate a contract?
    January 15, 2013 11:36 pm
    Only if you believe that you should be able to take care of your family and share in the wealth your labor creates. Wise workers use contracts, do you? Executives use contracts, Unions use contracts: whether Pilots, doctors, teachers, professional sports, aerospace workers, etc. IF you are honest with yourself- smart negotiators/workers put it in writing! Black and white that is legally enforceable in court -should one party decide to change conditions under the influence of nepotism, racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, coveting pension funds, etc.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ScoSher77 wrote...
    I know that.
    January 16, 2013 9:02 pm
    Maybe 1 day I'll go that route, but not right now, having to much fun without one. I get paid enough without the need of one plus benefits and all are pretty good too from my standpoint. I share enough wealth with uncle sam anyways, (joking). I get what your saying about the worth it and why people strike, already knew that. But, what I'm saying is, don't you get paid enough already, and the benefits are pretty good too, and I'm not saying no to raises either, almost every place I have been with gave a raise either every 6 months or yearly. And isn't the majority of companies going to 401k's vs company pensions?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • UstiGuf wrote...
    Vote NO on Strike
    January 20, 2013 2:01 pm
    Goforth said back in Dec that a strike was likely eminent. This just goes to show that it's what they've wanted. Let me say that not all companies will carry pension plans and every potential (new) employee has the right to accept or not accept a job based on employee options. The union has a lot of nerve dictating the what if's in this case and should stick to promoting and pulling its weight for the NOW employees...not for the people who haven't yet been hired. VOTE NO on striking.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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