WICHITA — AARP Foundation Litigation has joined the union representing engineers and technical workers at Boeing and other aerospace companies in pressing workplace discrimination charges against Spirit Aerosystems.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) filed the charges last March with federal officials. The white-collar union claims that the Wichita-based company considered confidential health information and workers’ ages in making employment decisions.
The union filed somewhat similar charges with federal officials against Boeing last month. In that case, SPEEA alleges that the aerospace-giant took steps to target older workers for layoffs.
The Chicago-based company denies the charges.
In an unrelated issue, a federal judge with the National Labor Relations Board ruled earlier this month in SPEEA’s favor, finding that Boeing had not bargained in good faith with the union during contract talks in 2012.
Boeing said workers in metro Puget Sound, but failed to back up the claim with evidence requested by the union, according to the ruling.
The company has said in news reports that it will appeal the decision.
After nearly going on strike, SPEEA members approved new contracts with Boeing that many members characterized as a setback for benefits and compensation.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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