Published: Thursday, September 27, 2007
SPEEA gears for talks, searches for new leader
EVERETT -- The union representing Boeing Co. engineers continues its search for a new executive director despite persistent infighting among the group's leaders.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace has released an executive director job description, kicking off a nationwide search to fill the union's top spot by Nov. 2. The union has been without a director since its board ousted Charles Bofferding in July in a 4-3 vote. The decision highlighted the division between SPEEA's leaders, culminating in a petition to recall four board members.
SPEEA heads into contract negotiations with the Boeing Co. next year. The executive director will play a role in those talks, which affect about 20,000 Boeing engineers in the region. The engineering group staged a strike against Boeing for 40 days in 2000.
Both Boeing and SPEEA will bring new representatives to the table when they meet next year. The recent friction at SPEEA has raised questions about the strength of the union heading into a critical period.
On Wednesday, SPEEA communications director Bill Dugovich said the group was preparing for negotiations as usual, working with Boeing to establish preliminary logistics for contract talks.
SPEEA will advertise for the director position through Oct. 15. A job description is posted on the union's Web site, www.speea.org. Dugovich said the group would be adding shortly some specific qualifications, such as education requirements and union experience.
The executive board is responsible for hiring a new director.
The board, however, could see some changes as a result of a recall referendum. In August, members submitted a petition to recall the four board members who voted to get rid of former director Bofferding in July. The petition was signed by more than 10 percent of SPEEA's members.
On Friday, SPEEA will mail out recall ballots. Members in SPEEA's Northwest region will be asked whether regional vice presidents Jill Ritchey and Mike Dunn should continue to sit on the board. All SPEEA members will decide the fate of board secretary Dave Baine and treasurer Bob Wilkerson.
The ballots mailed to members will include both pro and con statements about recalling each of the four board members. SPEEA will begin tallying the ballots at noon PDT Oct. 17, just as the board begins to narrow down executive director candidates.
Should the union vote to release any board member, SPEEA's council will choose a representative to fill out the remainder of the term.
SPEEA also has seen the recent resignation of three staff members, including the group's office assistant in Wichita, Kan., who gave notice Wednesday.
"We just hate to lose these people," said Dugovich, who also serves as interim chief of staff while SPEEA looks for a new leader.
The union's general counsel, Phyllis Rogers, will step down at the end of the year, he said. SPEEA's longtime labor representative Stan Sorscher also announced his retirement from the group earlier this month.
"His knowledge is going to be difficult to replace," Dugovich said.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace has released an executive director job description, kicking off a nationwide search to fill the union's top spot by Nov. 2. The union has been without a director since its board ousted Charles Bofferding in July in a 4-3 vote. The decision highlighted the division between SPEEA's leaders, culminating in a petition to recall four board members.
SPEEA heads into contract negotiations with the Boeing Co. next year. The executive director will play a role in those talks, which affect about 20,000 Boeing engineers in the region. The engineering group staged a strike against Boeing for 40 days in 2000.
Both Boeing and SPEEA will bring new representatives to the table when they meet next year. The recent friction at SPEEA has raised questions about the strength of the union heading into a critical period.
On Wednesday, SPEEA communications director Bill Dugovich said the group was preparing for negotiations as usual, working with Boeing to establish preliminary logistics for contract talks.
SPEEA will advertise for the director position through Oct. 15. A job description is posted on the union's Web site, www.speea.org. Dugovich said the group would be adding shortly some specific qualifications, such as education requirements and union experience.
The executive board is responsible for hiring a new director.
The board, however, could see some changes as a result of a recall referendum. In August, members submitted a petition to recall the four board members who voted to get rid of former director Bofferding in July. The petition was signed by more than 10 percent of SPEEA's members.
On Friday, SPEEA will mail out recall ballots. Members in SPEEA's Northwest region will be asked whether regional vice presidents Jill Ritchey and Mike Dunn should continue to sit on the board. All SPEEA members will decide the fate of board secretary Dave Baine and treasurer Bob Wilkerson.
The ballots mailed to members will include both pro and con statements about recalling each of the four board members. SPEEA will begin tallying the ballots at noon PDT Oct. 17, just as the board begins to narrow down executive director candidates.
Should the union vote to release any board member, SPEEA's council will choose a representative to fill out the remainder of the term.
SPEEA also has seen the recent resignation of three staff members, including the group's office assistant in Wichita, Kan., who gave notice Wednesday.
"We just hate to lose these people," said Dugovich, who also serves as interim chief of staff while SPEEA looks for a new leader.
The union's general counsel, Phyllis Rogers, will step down at the end of the year, he said. SPEEA's longtime labor representative Stan Sorscher also announced his retirement from the group earlier this month.
"His knowledge is going to be difficult to replace," Dugovich said.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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