Associated Press
WICHITA, Kan. — Office and technical workers at the Boeing Co.’s Wichita plant voted Monday on the company’s second contract offer, an agreement backed by the union representing the newly organized employees.
Among those voting for it was Alan Vanhorn, who also voted for an accompanying strike-authorization vote. As a former hourly employee, Vanhorn was on the picket line both in 1989 and 1995, and weathered a 20-month layoff in 1995.
"By unionizing we have gained a lot, now we have a contract," he said. "Personally I think a strike would be a disaster — It would break the union."
If approved, the contract would be a first for the workers who voted last year to join the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace. It will cover about 4,200 Boeing workers, making it the company’s second-largest union in Wichita, after the Machinists.
Members rejected the first offer in March by a 52 percent margin, against the advice of the union negotiators who had backed it.
Boeing spokeswoman Connie Kiewel said the offer is fair and equitable, and called the compensation and benefits package among the best in the region.
Lloyd Bonham was among those who voted for the contract.
"I want to just move on. We started with nothing — now we have something," he said.
Ed Rosenstein said that when he started working at Boeing 18 years ago, employees had a decent benefits package, but the company has been taking benefits away little by little.
"Until recently, I wasn’t a union person," he said.
He said the contract offer at least holds the line on the loss of further benefits.
George Ohlund also voted for the contract, and for the strike authorization.
"I feel it is the best contract we can get for a first contract — without having to actually strike," Ohlund said.
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