Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), a professional labor union representing over 24,000 engineers, reportedly approved a new six-year agreement of more than 1,620 employees with Spirit AeroSystems. These 1,620 employees are represented by the SPEEA.

The agreement was counted and validated by union tellers. The agreement received an overwhelming majority from union members at the WTPU (Wichita Technical and Professional Unit). 385 voted for approval of the agreement while 89 voted to reject in the final count.   

The agreement would be taking effect immediately. It was negotiated a year ahead of the earlier contract’s scheduled expiration.

Midwest Director of SPEEA, B.J. Moore stated that the company was able to obtain few improvements that were required and sought by members. There was a chance to negotiate early and avoid being pushed up towards a deadline, and the negotiation worked out.

The new agreement offers annual raises, surged overtime pay. It also offers a $2,000 signing bonus and unrestricted stock with an approximate value of a minimum of $1,500. Additionally, employees gave a green signal to changes in their respective medical plans during the agreement.

Mark Gayer, Negotiation Team Chair of SPEEA WTPU stated that in this agreement, there is something for everyone. The agency had a lot of transparent and open discussions over the subjects that were important for employees.

The WTPU Council Representatives (Bargaining Unit Council) and the SPEEA Negotiation Team unanimously recommended members to accept the negotiated deal.  

Formal negotiations were initiated on Nov. 6. SPEEA received a complete offer about the agreement from Spirit on Nov. 19. Further, the union held several meetings at the workplace as well as at its Wichita office. The primary motto of this meeting was to gather input prior to initiating negotiations. Member meetings were also conducted after final negotiations to answer questions of members about the agreement offer.

The new employee agreement contract now replaces the earlier contract would remain in effect till January 31, 2026.

SPEEA also represents engineers at Spirit AeroSystems in a different contract. SPEEA has more than 20,000 members across the nation. It is also a Local 2001 of the IFPTE (International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers).
 

Source credit: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191210006106/en/SPEEA-Approves-New-Six-year-Contract-Spirit-AeroSystems