‘Little progress’ in Boeing, SPEEA talks; Inslee weighs in

There was “little progress” Thursday in negotiations between the Boeing Co. and the union representing 22,950 of its engineers and technical workers.

That’s according to a statement by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace.

Boeing said only that the two met with the assistance of federal mediators.

Contract talks resumed Wednesday after a month-long break. The company and union have been trying to work out a deal since April.

Boeing and SPEEA will meet again Friday with the help of federal mediators.

The incoming governor of Washington had a few words to say Thursday about SPEEA and Boeing. Gov.-elect Jay Inslee spoke recently with Boeing, he told Herald reporter Jerry Cornfield .

“I think there was some modestly good smoke signals out of discussions that happened (Wednesday),” Inslee said.

Inslee plans to talk to SPEEA soon. He emphasized the significance of the aerospace industry to Washington state.

“You cannot overstate the importance of Boeing and the Boeing supply chain in the economy of the state of Washington. …So everyone in the state of Washington has a deep and profound interest, whether you’re a teacher or a bus driver or a retiree, you have a stake in these discussions,” Inslee said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

The livery on a Boeing plane. (Christopher Pike / Bloomberg)
Former Lockheed Martin CFO joins Boeing as top financial officer

Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer is being replaced by a former CFO at… Continue reading

Izaac Escalante-Alvarez unpacks a new milling machine at the new Boeing machinists union’s apprentice training center on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists union training center opens in Everett

The new center aims to give workers an inside track at Boeing jobs.

Some SnoCo stores see shortages after cyberattack on grocery supplier

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and US Foods CHEF’STORE, informed customers that some items may be temporarily unavailable.

People take photos and videos as the first Frontier Arlines flight arrives at Paine Field Airport under a water cannon salute on Monday, June 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Water cannons salute Frontier on its first day at Paine Field

Frontier Airlines joins Alaska Airlines in offering service Snohomish County passengers.

Amit B. Singh, president of Edmonds Community College. 201008
Edmonds College and schools continue diversity programs

Educational diversity programs are alive and well in Snohomish County.

A standard jet fuel, left, burns with extensive smoke output while a 50 percent SAF drop-in jet fuel, right, puts off less smoke during a demonstration of the difference in fuel emissions on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sustainable aviation fuel center gets funding boost

A planned research and development center focused on sustainable aviation… Continue reading

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.