SPEEA members rally in factory over Boeing offer

Boeing Co. engineers and technical workers marched inside the company's Everett factory Wednesday to make a statement about a contract offer that Boeing calls “market-leading” but which union leaders urge members to reject.

Leaders of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace sent out a photo of Wednesday's march on Twitter with this message:

Coffee break complaints about @Boeingcontract offer turns into 1500 member@SPEEA march through Everett factory.

Union leaders decided Monday to forgo further contract talks this week with Boeing, opting instead to have members vote on the company's proposal. SPEEA negotiators are urging members to reject Boeing's offer.

On Tuesday, Boeing officials accused SPEEA leaders of abandoning negotiations.

Prior to the contract offer, SPEEA had organized rallies and events for its 22,765 members in the Puget Sound area.

SPEEA is sending out ballots this week. Members will vote by 5 p.m. Oct. 1. The union's contract expires Oct. 6.

For more on the contract, visit Boeing's negotiation website or SPEEA's.