A look back at SPEEA’s 2000 strike against Boeing …

Published 2:08 pm Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Boeing’s engineers’ union, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, made a documentary about its 40-day strike in 2000.

First reaction: Wow, technology has come a long way in 8 years.

Second thought: Union leaders for both SPEEA and the Machinists have used a lot of the same phrases: “Boeing has stopped listening to us” and “It’s about respect” and, of course, “No nerds, no birds.”

SPEEA and Boeing are continuing talks today. The company still hopes to make a final offer this week.

From Ray Goforth, SPEEA’s executive director in 2008 negotiations (sent today): “The manner in which negotiations are conducted has consequences.”

I’ll post further installments of this piece over the week.

Here’s the first part off of YouTube: