SPEEA Steps up Effort to Bring More Work to Boeing Wichita Integrated Defense Systems.

WICHITA, Kan. -- Facing a new round of layoffs at The Boeing Company's Wichita Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), the union representing engineers, technical and professional workers is stepping up efforts to encourage Congress to approve military programs that would bring new work.

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, is talking with Kansas' congressional delegation, Boeing management, and employees to show the need for helping secure more work for Wichita IDS. The facility currently has enough work for the next 18 months but no new work is scheduled.

The union is asking employees to sign support cards that seek federal funding for the B-52 Standoff Jammer, E-4B flying command center, KC-135 tanker replacement and the Airborne Laser programs. The cards will be delivered to Congress in May.

"These programs are vital to the future of Wichita IDS," said Bob Brewer, SPEEA Midwest Director. "We expect to have a large stack of cards to deliver."

On Monday (April 17) Boeing announced that 360 employees at Wichita IDS will receive 60-day layoff notices when they arrive at work on Tuesday (April 18). The layoffs include 140 employees represented by SPEEA. The union is preparing mailings to employees in SPEEA bargaining units facing layoff. Boeing said that by 2007, employment at the facility will drop by 900 to 2,700.

"We are disappointed that the numbers are so high," said Charles Bofferding, SPEEA executive director.

The union is working with Boeing management through several joint committees to find ways to help employees affected by the current reorganization. Bofferding said they are also calling on Boeing management to involve employees in the decisions that will determine the future of Wichita IDS.

"Employees want to be part of the effort to build a coherent plan for Wichita IDS," Bofferding said. "They should be involved and so should the community."

SPEEA represents 1,880 employees at Boeing's Wichita IDS facility. Total employment at the facility is about 3,500.

SPEEA represents 23,000 engineers, technical and professional employees in Washington, Kansas, Oregon, Utah and California. SPEEA, a Local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), also represents workers at Spirit Aerosystems, Inc. in Wichita; BAE Systems, Inc., in Irving, Texas, and Triumph Composite Systems, Inc., in Spokane, Wash.