SPEEA Agrees to Boeing Request to Pause WTPU Talks
SPEEA has agreed to Boeing’s request to pause negotiations on a new contract for the more than 1,500 workers represented by its Wichita Technical & Professional Unit. Boeing asked for the delay on Wednesday, citing complications related to the reunification of the newly reacquired Spirit AeroSystems operation with the rest of the Boeing enterprise.
SPEEA’s Wichita Technical and Professional Unit (WTPU) negotiations team expressed frustration with the lack of progress over the past week, particularly with Boeing negotiators’ inability to agree to a deal, said WTPU Negotiations Team Chairman James Hatfield. “I find that lack of preparation disturbing,” he said.
The 1,500 people in the WTPU are white-collar professionals working in non-engineering roles at Boeing’s newly re-acquired plant in Wichita. Their current six-year contract is set to expire on Jan. 31, 2026. Talks will resume on Jan. 5.