WICHITA, Kan. -- Technical and professional workers at Boeing Co.'s Wichita plant voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to accept the company's third contract offer, avoiding a strike.þþThe Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace made no recommendation to its members on how they should vote. The union had urged its members to reject the Chicago-based company's two previous offers.þþThe union represents nearly 3,400 workers at the plant. The union said 1,175 valid votes were cast Wednesday, with 87 percent approving the proposal.þþMany workers felt if the contract were rejected, there would not have been enough support to sustain a strike.þþThe company's four-year offer includes wage increases of 3.5 percent the first year, 3 percent the second and third year and a ÿmarket percentageÿ in the fourth year.þþIt also caps health-care premiums during the first three years of the contract. Workers also stand to receive an $1,800 bonus.þ
Source: Chicago Tribune
