Boeing, Engineers Reach Agreement

The union representing Boeing Co. engineers has scheduled a membership meeting this afternoon to discuss a tentative contract agreement with the aircraft maker.

Bill Dugovich, spokesman for the Seattle Professional Engineering Employees Association, declined to discuss details before the meeting. Parts of the agreement are expected to be similar to provisions in a contract approved last month by Machinists union members after a 69-day strike.

Boeing spokesman John Kvasnosky said a four-year contract with the engineers has been discussed, rather than the traditional three-year contract, the same as with the Machinists.

Engineers have said their top concerns were guaranteed wage increases, health care benefits, job security and a union fee for non-members the union represents. The union represents about 22,000 engineers and technicians.