All SPEEA offices are closed in response to state and health officials’ recommendations and directives to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The offices will remain closed until restrictions are lifted by local governments at the location of each office.

SPEEA staff are working from home and are accessible by email: speea@speea.org

• SPEEA Tukwila – 206-433-0991
• SPEEA Everett – 425-355-2883
• SPEEA Wichita – 316-682-0262

Check the SPEEA calendars for meeting cancellations. Some continue via telephone or video conference.

In the face of the world COVID-19 pandemic, the suspension of work on Boeing programs at Spirit AeroSystems following the suspension of production operations in Washington state is another indication of the seriousness of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

SPEEA staff at all locations and your elected leaders are closely monitoring actions by our employers and working to ensure the terms and protections provided by our contracts are followed.

“Through these difficult times, SPEEA’s concern is for the safety and welfare of members, your families and co-workers,” said SPEEA President Joel Funfar. “First and foremost, we encourage everyone to listen to the advice of our healthcare professionals, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and spend quality time with your family.”

Following health care professionals and government recommendations, SPEEA offices in Seattle (Tukwila), Everett, Wichita and Seal Beach closed last week. However, while offices are closed, SPEEA contract administrators and union staff continue to work remotely to meet the needs of represented employees. Watch your email and the website for important updates.

With local and state officials advising workers to remain at home, the schedule for re-voting the Technical Unit contract and the Executive Board elections is pending. We are working with our union print and mailing company, as well as assessing the general situation in the public and will communicate a new timeline when possible.

We are currently working with our leaders at the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) as Congress works on assistance programs to keep the needs of workers in the decision-making process. IFPTE is pushing for any relief package from Congress to include support for workers, their health care plans and also for companies and workers in the aerospace supply chain.

Like you, we are concerned about the many workers who do not work for a large company with resources that allow it to weather adversity. These are also the times when the protections of a union contract and a professional staff to help with issues are most valuable. We will continue to have you in our thoughts and be working diligently to protect your rights as employees as we advocate on your behalf with Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Triumph Composite Systems and with local and government leaders at every level.

If you have questions or concerns about our efforts, workplace issues or your personal situation contact SPEEA. You may email your staff contacts through regular channels or send a note to: speea@speea.org. Telephones at SPEEA offices are also being forwarded to appropriate individuals. With staff using cell phones, remember the caller-ID on your phone may now show an individual name.

Managers at The Boeing Company are distributing retention-rating notices to Profs and Techs through April 2. The retention notices, assigned to employees within their work groups, determine the general order of layoffs if needed in the coming year.

How to request an appeal - The SPEEA Prof and Tech contracts include an appeal process (Article 8.4) for certain situations.

To request a retention-rating appeal, learn what’s required in the online guide/request form, (drop-down menu: Member Tools/Retention). Employees have 30 days after receiving the retention rating notice to file a completed appeal request form. Remember to review the retention information online before making a request to appeal. 

SPEEA received complaints that the “Summary of Proposed Changes” included in the mail-out contract ballot packet contained an error that created confusion and understated the guaranteed minimum salary increases in the Technical Bargaining Unit contract offer.  The test for evaluating these complaints is whether it could have reasonably changed the result of the vote. The Tellers reviewed these complaints and decided to re-vote the Technical Bargaining Unit contract offer.

The Tellers also determined the error could have impacted the Executive Board elections. Therefore, we are re-voting the Executive Board elections for SPEEA President, Treasurer and Secretary. The original ballots were impounded and not opened.

We apologize for the error and appreciate your patience. A timeline for re-voting will be communicated when finalized.

SPEEA events and other labor events advertised by SPEEA have been postponed in response to health officials’ recommendations to restrict gatherings and events as a preventive measure. The events will be rescheduled later.

 Look to the on-line calendar and events page for updates.

Postponed events

• SPEEA Council meeting at all SPEEA halls, March 12
• Leadership Institute, hosted by Sound Alliance, at SPEEA Tukwila, March 13-14
•  Climbing event, hosted by the NW Young Members Committee, at Vertical World, Seattle, March 14
• How to pursue a level upgrade, SPEEA Puget Sound halls, March 16
• ‘I Am Not Your Negro,’ a SPEEA Diversity Committee movie night, at SPEEA Everett, March 18
• ‘Speaking from the Heart,’ a training workshop hosted by the Snohomish and Island Labor Council, at the Everett Labor Temple, March 28
• SPEEA 101 for newer hires, hosted by the NW New Hire and Young Members Committees, at SPEEA Everett, March 30, and SPEEA Tukwila, March 31

SPEEA and regional committees

Changes to committee meetings will be posted on SPEEA’s online Northwest and Midwest calendars.