Published: Monday, January 7, 2008
Boeing engineers union looks for new leaders
Three positions will open in March, as the union assembles a leadership team before contract talks with Boeing.
EVERETT -- The union representing the Boeing Co. engineers begins its search this week for three new officers who will help guide the group during contract talks this year.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace starts accepting applications for its president, secretary and treasurer positions, which are up for election this spring. The labor group represents more than 20,000 engineers and technical workers in the Puget Sound region.
SPEEA's leadership had a tumultuous year in 2007, turning over five of its top eight leadership positions. The group stabilized late in the year, filling vacancies on its board and outlining a process for hiring a new executive director.
The union has been without a permanent, full-time director since July. The ousting of SPEEA's former director led to the recall of four board members. SPEEA has filled all four of those slots.
The three remaining board members -- Cynthia Cole, SPEEA president; Tom McCarty, treasurer; Bill Hartig, secretary -- all reach the end of their two-year terms this March.
SPEEA members interested in those two-year positions can begin filing their petitions Wednesday. Candidates need the support of at least 20 SPEEA members in order to be considered viable. The union will accept petitions until 5 p.m., Jan. 23.
The engineering labor group mails out ballots in late February and announces the election results March 12.
The new leaders will not be in place in time to have a say on deciding SPEEA's executive director. The board is in the process of reviewing applications. Staff narrowed down the field of 40 contenders.
SPEEA will bring the top three executive director candidates to its Council meeting Jan. 17 in Seattle in an effort to allow members to mingle with their prospective director. The board will announce SPEEA's new director by Jan. 31.
While the new president, secretary and treasurer won't take part in that decision, they certainly will have a hand in contract negotiations with Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems.
SPEEA's contract with Boeing expires Dec. 1. The engineers staged a 40-day strike against Boeing in 2000.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace starts accepting applications for its president, secretary and treasurer positions, which are up for election this spring. The labor group represents more than 20,000 engineers and technical workers in the Puget Sound region.
SPEEA's leadership had a tumultuous year in 2007, turning over five of its top eight leadership positions. The group stabilized late in the year, filling vacancies on its board and outlining a process for hiring a new executive director.
The union has been without a permanent, full-time director since July. The ousting of SPEEA's former director led to the recall of four board members. SPEEA has filled all four of those slots.
The three remaining board members -- Cynthia Cole, SPEEA president; Tom McCarty, treasurer; Bill Hartig, secretary -- all reach the end of their two-year terms this March.
SPEEA members interested in those two-year positions can begin filing their petitions Wednesday. Candidates need the support of at least 20 SPEEA members in order to be considered viable. The union will accept petitions until 5 p.m., Jan. 23.
The engineering labor group mails out ballots in late February and announces the election results March 12.
The new leaders will not be in place in time to have a say on deciding SPEEA's executive director. The board is in the process of reviewing applications. Staff narrowed down the field of 40 contenders.
SPEEA will bring the top three executive director candidates to its Council meeting Jan. 17 in Seattle in an effort to allow members to mingle with their prospective director. The board will announce SPEEA's new director by Jan. 31.
While the new president, secretary and treasurer won't take part in that decision, they certainly will have a hand in contract negotiations with Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems.
SPEEA's contract with Boeing expires Dec. 1. The engineers staged a 40-day strike against Boeing in 2000.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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