Click image above for video, separate link to: slideshow only

Boeing open enrollment runs from Tuesday, Nov. 3 to Tuesday, Nov. 24. This is the only time of the year to make routine changes to your medical plans.

Learn more about the health care plan options in a video presented by Jason Collette, SPEEA contract administrator and benefits coordinator. The presentation slides are also available online.

Open enrollment highlights

• You and your spouse need to take the online health assessment by Nov. 24 to avoid a $20 monthly fee.Taking the health assessment is not required for retirees.
• The biggest change this year pertains to the pharmacy benefit manager. Members should see minimal disruption.
• Monthly premiums decreased slightly for Traditional Medical Plan, Select Network and Kaiser Permanente. Boeing's Health Savings Account contributions remain unchanged from 2020.

The November SPEEA Spotlite includes more details, including an overview and plan comparison table in a four-page special section.

For specific questions, email jasonc@speea.org. 

WICHITA – Spirit AeroSystems recently issued Involuntary Layoff notices to 50 SPEEA-represented employees. For a majority, their last day of work is Dec. 11, with pay through Dec. 22.

Spirit also accepted 12 applications for Voluntary Layoff (VLO) from six Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) and six Wichita Technical and Professional Unit (WTPU) employees. Their final date of employment is Oct. 30.

SPEEA contract administrators continue to review the layoff information to ensure accuracy and compliance with union contracts.

The SPEEA website is being regularly updated with information to assist members. Go to www.speea.org (drop-down menu: Member Tools/Layoff Information).

SPEEA monitoring pays off

SPEEA staff recently noted 10 SPEEA-represented employees were laid off without sufficient notice.

Because of the union monitoring this issue and working with legal counsel, Spirit AeroSystems agreed to an additional one-time, lump sum payment.

The payment consisted of two weeks salary plus an amount equal to one month of COBRA medical coverage for the 10 affected.

SEATTLE – The Boeing Company’s decision to consolidate 787 production in North Charleston and abandon its Dreamliner line in Everett is disappointing and frustrating to the thousands of engineers, technical workers and pilots represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001.

Union leaders have asked Boeing for specifics about the move and which employees will be impacted. As many engineers and technical workers’ jobs span multiple programs, and Boeing having issues with its own “Worklife” employee system, it’s difficult to immediately know which employee groups are affected.

“This is disappointing to our members and all Boeing employees in the Puget Sound region,” said SPEEA President Ryan Rule.

Since launching the 787 program in 2003, through its first flight in 2009 and delivery to launch customer ANA in 2011, the professional aerospace employees represented by SPEEA have been integral to the program.

“We believe Boeing is making a mistake,” said SPEEA Executive Director Ray Goforth.  “SPEEA’s immediate focus is supporting the members who will be laid-off.  Long term we will partner with community stakeholders to attract new aerospace jobs to the state by marketing the aerospace talent pool Boeing is walking away from.”

The news leaked out the night before FAA Administrator Steve Dickson flew the 737 MAX on a test flight as part of the process to recertify the airplane and return it to service. Boeing recently laid off its last seven, highly skilled, Flight Training Pilots (FTA) and announced training for the pilots of airline customers is being outsourced to Cambridge Communications, Ltd., a pilot contract house based in the Isle of Man.

Spirit AeroSystems recently mailed information letters to employees with balances remaining in the Boeing Pension Value Plan.

Labeled; “Notice To Interested Parties (NTIP),” the letters were sent to meet reporting requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Only Spirit, Day 1 employees who previously worked at Boeing are receiving the notice.

SPEEA is aware of the letters, communicating with Spirit and monitoring company actions.

Represented employees with questions can contact SPEEA or send questions directly to Spirit at retirement@spiritaero.com