Boeing asks for mediator in union talks

Boeing said Thursday that it asked for federal mediators to help resolve “significant differences” remaining in wage discussions between the world’s largest aerospace company and its engineers union in Seattle.

“We’re really at a critical point in the talks, and it’s better to have a mediator come in sooner than later so no one side gets locked into their position,” said Doug Alder, a spokesman for Boeing. “We’re concerned about a lack of progress, and we think this is something that could help.”

Boeing called on the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service as soon as Thursday’s meeting wrapped up with the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, or Speea, Alder said. Union leaders didn’t immediately reply toa request for comment.

The plane-maker has used nonbinding mediation before, including for the last talks with engineers union in 2008, Alder said. Those negotiations began while unionized machinists were out on an eight-week strike, their fourth walkout since 1989. The union has struck at Boeing only twice since its 1946 founding: for one day in 1993 and 40 days in 2000.

Boeing Defense President Dennis Muilenburg said at an investors conference in New York on Thursday that the two sides were having “productive discussions” and expected to reach a successful conclusion.

The 23,000 engineers and technical workers represented by the union, largely in the Seattle area where Boeing’s commercial headquarters are located, are working without a contract now. Their previous contract expired Oct. 6and was extended through Nov. 25 after they rejected Boeing’s first offer.

The union’s executive director, Ray Goforth, said Nov. 20 that it was increasingly likely that he’d seek strike authorization from members once the extension ran out. The union objects to Boeing’s plan to shrink salary growth and switch new hires into a 401(k)-style retirement program, rather than the current pension plan.

The union has encouraged engineers to refuse voluntary overtime and “work to rule” to slow down the development and deliveries of jets. Boeing is in the midst of increasing production 60 percent in the four years through 2014. Boeing’s engineers not only design new planes, they inspect those being built and sign off on the work before aircraft are delivered.