Contract Talks Get a Split Decision From Boeing Engineers and Tech Workers

SEATTLE (AP) — It's a split decision from the union representing Boeing Co.'s engineers and technical workers. The engineers voted Tuesday to accept the aerospace company's four-year contract offer while technical workers rejected it and authorized a future strike. Bill Dugovich of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace says the votes mean the new contract for the 15,550 engineers is in place. He says negotiators hope to resume contract talks soon on behalf of the 7,400 technical workers. A strike by the technical workers is not imminent, but Dugovich says the negotiating team is now authorized to call one. Engineers and technical workers work on plans for planes and solve problems that arise on the factory floor. Boeing did not comment. SPEEA last went on strike for 40 days in 2000.