Boeing eliminates customer Flight Training Airplane pilots, sending jobs to overseas contract house
SEATTLE – The Boeing Company delivered layoff notices to its remaining seven Flight Training Airplane (FTA) pilots last month and will instead send the critical work of providing on-site training for airline customers to Cambridge Communications Limited (CCL), a contract house based in the Isle of Man.
Once hired and working for Boeing, the contract pilots are provided Boeing uniforms and business cards making them indistinguishable from Boeing’s own flight training pilots when they work with airlines and regulatory agencies.
The move came just days after the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure released its investigation of the 737 MAX. Based on a year-long investigation, the report, along with citing a “culture of concealment” in Boeing management, calls on the company to provide additional training specific to the 737 MAX upgrades to every airline pilot flying the plane after it returns to service.
“I cannot believe Boeing chose this moment to fire their highly experienced training pilots and outsource their work to contractors they don’t even control,” said SPEEA Executive Director Ray Goforth.
At press time, SPEEA was preparing other actions to take on behalf of the pilots.
Voting is the only way to ensure our elected officials represent and support the issues and needs of professional aerospace workers. If you are not registered or moved since the last election, visit your states voter registration site so you can make your voice heard in November.
Washington - Deadline to update or register: Monday, Oct. 26. Register or update
Register to vote in person during business hours and any time before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Utah - Deadline to update or register by mail, Oct. 23.
Deadline for in-person registration, Nov. 3. Register or update
Registered voters receive mail-in ballots.
Early in-person voting Oct. 20 to 30. Check local office.
SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001 statement House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee report
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, commends the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on their comprehensive investigation and report regarding the design, development and certification of the 737 MAX.
We are pleased the report recognizes the efforts of engineers and the technical community to bring concerns forward.
As representatives of the engineering community, SPEEA recognizes the need to modernize the airplane-certification process. Our union and our members stand ready and willing to work with Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing to address concerns and update the critical process of certifying aircraft.
2020 SPEEA-Boeing salary charts now online
SPEEA-Boeing Prof and Tech salary charts are online at www.speea.org (drop-down menu 'Member Tools'). Details about this year's salary exercise can be found in the September issue of Spotlite magazine.
Access is password-protected and requires work email and BEMS ID. See instructions for accessing the charts on the web page.
SPEEA compiles charts by major organization, occupation and job family and skill management code (if applicable) based on data provided by The Boeing Company following the selective salary adjustment exercise.
King and Snohomish County Rapid Response webinars
Snohomish County Rapid Response webinar
Wednesday, Sept. 30
5 to 7:30 p.m.
SPEEA has partnered with King and Snohomish County Rapid Response Teams, liaisons to Washington State Labor Council, to hold informational webinars for employees who received a WARN notice or volunteered for layoff.
The information provided in the webinars will be tailored for the county in which you want to receive services – King County and Snohomish County. If you are from another county you can join either webinar.
Use the links below to register. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing details about joining the webinar.
Telephone
Dial 1-253-215-8782 or 1-301-715-8592
Webinar ID: 423 241 496
Washington State Employment Security Department will answer your questions about unemployment insurance, how your
benefits are calculated and your responsibilities while claiming.
WorkSource will discuss re-training and re-employment programs, job listings, workshops, labor market information and opportunities to network with on-site employers.
Community & Technical Colleges help dislocated workers secure job training through the state-funded Worker Retraining program. Services also may include career planning and placement, job search instruction and financial assistance.
Employee Benefits Security Administration (DOL) is responsible for enforcing Title 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) which protects benefits in private-sector pension and health plans. Able to assist with questions regarding: COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, 401(k), pensions and ERISA.
WA State Labor Council (WSLC) works to ensure dislocated workers maximize unemployment services to best support themselves, their families and careers. WSLC Labor Liaisons are dedicated to advocating for laid off workers, both union and non-union.
Spirit – WEU & WTPU
SPEEA aware, monitoring letters regarding Pension Value Plan
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
Members prefer safety of working from home during pandemic
SPEEA members participating in the union’s recent Workplace Accommodation Survey indicated a distinct preference to work virtual from home but would like help with office equipment and flexible schedules as the COVID-19 crisis continues.
Launched Aug. 3 at the direction of the SPEEA Executive Board Communications Committee, the survey collected 220 responses from SPEEA members through the home email system. The survey closed Aug. 10. While not statistically accurate, results provide a basic “radar” check of workplace situations and preferences as of the beginning of August.
Key findings
The majority of members in the Northwest and Midwest are working virtual from home either full-time or at home with limited trips into the workplace.
Some 130 respondents noted family responsibilities. Of these:
72% listed school age and/or young children at home.
54% listed caring for a parent or other family member.
People going into work want better enforcement of face-mask use and more frequent cleaning.
Several members listed family members with health issues that bring added risk – compromised immune system due to cancer, multiple risk factors, etc.
Until the pandemic subsides, members indicated a strong preference to staying out of the workplace. A full 68% of respondents rated working virtual from home or virtual with limited trips into the workplace for specific tasks as either their first or second choice.
Desk chairs, larger or a second monitor, stand-up desks and other ergonomic accommodations are the major need for members working from home. The ability to check out a desk chair or computer monitor was frequently mentioned in comments. Many also noted an internet allowance – much like cell phones – would be appreciated.
People going into work want better enforcement of face-mask use and more frequent cleaning.
SPEEA is using the results to continue advocating on behalf of members.
Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems issue more layoff notices
The Boeing Company and Spirit AeroSystems issued additional involuntary layoff notices to SPEEA-represented employees on Friday, July 31.
Boeing issued 148 notices of intent to layoff in 60 days to 148 employees at sites in the Puget Sound region and another 8 notices to employees in Oregon. These additions bring the total of SPEEA-represented layoffs - involuntary and voluntary - to about 2,660.
In Wichita, Spirit issued 26 new layoff notices to employees in the Wichita Engineering and Professional and Technical Units. Added to the 12 SPEEA-represented employees who received involuntary layoff notices in May, Spirit has now issued 38 notices to employees in SPEEA bargaining units. A large number of represented employees also opted to take a voluntary layoff.
SPEEA contract administrators continue to review the layoff information provided by Boeing and Spirit to ensure accuracy and compliance with union contracts.
SPEEA is scheduling webinars, rapid response meetings and working to help impacted employees. The SPEEA website is being regularly updated with information to assist members. Workplace Council Representatives and SPEEA Contract Administrators are available to answer members' questions. Visit the Layoff assistance information page.
Trade Act Successful union petition adds
help for laid-off workers
SPEEA’s petition to seek additional federal support was approved for Boeing laid-off workers in Washington state and Oregon.
SPEEA teamed up with the International Association of Machinists (IAM) 751 in filing for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), also known as Trade Act, with the U.S. Department of Labor.
“We are happy to see our petition to support laid off SPEEA members was recently approved by federal administrators,” said Ryan Rule, SPEEA president. “We know SPEEA members continue to be displaced, in part, due to global trade pressures and international economic conditions. TAA is a critical tool to aid in their return to the workforce – and most importantly, provide their families an additional layer of resources to maintain their economic security.”
Under this petition, anyone laid off after May 5, 2019, is eligible to apply for benefits as can anyone laid off through June 23, 2022.
About Trade Act
Trade Act funding is designed to assist eligible laid-off workers impacted by increased imports or companies moving work to other countries.This additional funding is a direct result of the petition filed by SPEEA and the IAM with help from the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) Workforce Development team. Washington state’s congressional leaders helped expedite the petition’s approval process to provide timely assistance to laid-off workers.
Benefits include:
- Training and tuition support
- Income support
- Health care tax credit
- Out-of-area job search
- Relocation assistance
Layoff resources online
The layoff link on SPEEA’s website features more information about Trade Act benefits and how to apply. The layoff section on the website, under Member Tools, also includes additional resources, benefits and job resources.
SPEEA demands justice for George Floyd and end to racism
In unanimous vote, the SPEEA Executive Board added our union to the growing list of labor unions calling for justice and an end to racism after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The seven-member board approved the letter Thursday (June 4).
The letter and effort is in line with the SPEEA Diversity Committee and its work to provide an avenue for members to address the problems and issues associated with a lack of understanding about diversity, discrimination and harassment. The committee invites members to attend its meetings held at 4 p.m. (Pacific Time) and 6 p.m. (Central Time),
the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
