Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 2001, AFL-CIO, CLC • www.speea.org

Trade activist at SPEEA – P2

Visibility item process – P3

Representing aerospace professionals with competence, integrity and action

Native American month – P4

Oct. 28, 2011 / No. 2142

SPEEA testifies at Senate aviation hearing

SEATTLE — SPEEA President Tom McCarty joined a panel of leaders testifying at a field hearing hosted

by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee, Oct. 24, at the Museum of Flight.“We’re facing the perfect storm in terms of demand for a skilled aerospace workforce,” Sen. Cantwell said in opening remarks. The hearing focused on aviation training needs and challenges, given the increasing demand, new technology, and aging baby boomers set to retire from aerospace jobs in the next five to 10 years. “We need training for our workforce to be able to step up to that challenge,” she said.SPEEA President Tom McCarty reiterated Sen. Cantwell’s sense of urgency. “Nearly 40% of the engineering workforce at

Boeing will be eligible to retire in the next few years ... (this) represents a tremendous migration of intellectual capital out of the aerospace workforce,” he said.McCarty also commented on the impact of outsourcing work - taking jobs away from the next generation, and diluting technical expertise. “While our work force is losing this oppor-tunity to grow its skill base (due to out-sourcing), somewhere else the work force is now advancing its capability. In effect, we are falling behind at twice the rate,” he said in testimony. “The solution is going to take teamwork. The players are the employees, business, schools and government - each has a critical role.” At the hearing, McCarty also emphasized the importance of robotics programs in the

schools. SPEEA is a sponsor of many teams, and members are involved as mentors to the high school students whose robots compete on a state and national level.“How do you get young people interested? How do you get them hands-on experi-ence? Hand them their safety glasses, and get them drilling and soldering,” McCarty said. “Give them the confidence that a technical career can be interesting, reward-ing and satisfying.”Council Rep Richard Basham also attend-ed the hearing in support of SPEEA. He works as a test engineerat Plant II. He’s also a mentor at Aviation High School.

Benefits survey online

The next survey, focused on benefit and retirement issues, will soon be online at www.speea.org.

This is the third online survey for the Prof and Tech bargaining units. The final survey, in December, will focus on compensation.The Negotiation Prep Committee conducts the surveys to help prepare the Negotiation Teams, which will be elected in February by the bargaining unit Council Reps.

Boeing open enrollmentOpen enrollment at The Boeing Company is Nov. 9 – Dec. 2. This is the only time you can make routine changes, such as switch-ing health plans. Learn more at a lunchtime meeting with SPEEA Benefits Director Matt Kempf. Ask your Council Rep to schedule this for your area with Hillary Beveridge at (206) 433-0991 (x139).

SPEEA WTPU membership tops 50%!WICHITA - For the first time in nearly a decade, more than 50% of the employees in the Wichita Technical and Professional Unit (WTPU) at Spirit AeroSystems are full members.“Spirit’s executive manage-ment must now face the fact that the majority of employ-ees in the WTPU find the company’s offer regressive, too long in duration at 10 years, and as such, is unac-ceptable,” said Bill Hartig, chair of the SPEEA-WTPU Negotiation Team.Negotiations at Main Table are tentatively set to resume Nov. 15 and 16. Although

the current contract has expired, all the terms of the contract remain in place. Negotiation team members explain the contract situation in a new video posted on the SPEEA website at: www.speea.org.

Trade activist notes value of SPEEA’s ‘voice of reason’

SE A T T L E – SPEEA is mak-i n g a d i f f e r -

ence in the fair trade movement, according to Kristen Beifus , the director of the Washington Fair Trade Coalition.“Your role is critical,” she said at the October

SPEEA Council meeting. “Because of SPEEA, the movement for a better trade policy is building.”Beifus noted SPEEA’s ability to raise public awareness about the impact of unfair trade that erodes America’s industrial base and lowers environmental standards. “It’s powerful that you’re pro-trade – for good trade that benefits your members. You’re a voice in the industry. Elected offi-cials call us prior to votes because they value your analysis. This makes you a voice of significant change – a voice of reason.”The fact that SPEEA represents Boeing engineers and techs gives the union a unique perspective as a member of the Fair Trade Coalition. SPEEA’s participation reinforces the coalition’s position of fair trade with more representation at the table than just corporate interests.Beifus highlighted China’s success with trade agreements that protect and develop their country’s economy as an example of the harmful effects of ‘free’ trade. China builds the whole tail section of the 737, the vertical fin, the horizontal stabilizer and all of the doors, and will soon compete with Boeing’s 737 by launching its version of a single aisle jet – the C919.This competition is a direct result of huge subsidies from the Chinese govern-ment and offsets – where other countries demand that work packages be sent to their countries as part of deals to buy Boeing products. This develops both their econo-my and their skill set to compete. Although Beifus noted the recent vote by Washington members of Congress in support of trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama (which the Fair Trade Coalition fought to change), she acknowledged U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott’s (WA-7th district) vote against the agree-ment with Colombia, which has a brutal history of murdering labor activists. Despite the disappointing votes, she noted that more and more people are becoming aware of how the agreements are hurting workers worldwide. Looking forward, the Washington

Fair Trade Coalition is tracking the “TransPacific Partnership” free trade agree-ments currently in negotiations between the U.S. and eight other countries. “Our job as a coalition is to keep educat-ing our members,” she said. “We’re here to see that trade is as beneficial to as many as possible.”

SEATTLE HALL15205 52nd Ave S • Seattle, WA 98188

M-Th, 8 am to 5 pm • Fri, 8 am to 4:30 pmPhone: (206) 433-0991

EVERETT HALL2414 106th St. SWEverett, WA 98204

M-F, 8 am to 4:30 pmPhone: (425) 355-2883

WICHITA HALL973 S Glendale St • Wichita, KS 67218

M-Th, 8:30 am to 5 pm • Fri, 8 am to 4:30 pmPhone: (316) 682-0262

President Tom McCarty

Executive DirectorRay Goforth

Executive BoardJimmie Mathis TreasurerBill Hartig SecretaryMichael E. Hochberg NW Regional VP Ryan Rule NW Regional VPRon A. Shoemaker NW Regional VP Earl Carter MW Regional VP

SPEEA Council Officers*Joel Funfar ChairR Matthew Joyce TreasurerTheryl Johnson Secretary

Midwest Regional Council OfficersDebbie Logsdon ChairR Matthew Joyce TreasurerBrenda Reiling Secretary

Northwest Regional Council OfficersDave Silkroski ChairCarrie Rule TreasurerRebekah Hewitt Secretary

SPEEA PublicationsBill Dugovich Communications DirectorLori Dupuis Graphic DesignerRich Kremnetz Printing/Mail ManagerKaren McLean Publications Editor

speea@speea.orgwww.speea.org

2 • SPEEA NEWS / Oct. 28, 2011 / No. 2142

Expert at SPEEA for Robert’s Rules training

Paul McClintock, a professional reg-istered parliamentarian, will present a two-part session on Robert’s Rules

of Order – both basic and advanced. See dates and times below. The training covers the process used to run Council and other meetings in an effective and democratic way. If you’re wondering how or why meetings are run, or want to brush up on your skills and knowledge, sign up for one or both classes.

Part 1 (basic) Everett, Wednesday, Nov. 2, from

4:30 to 6 p.m. Tukwila, Monday, Nov. 7, from 5 to

6:30 p.m.

Part II (advanced) Everett, Monday, Dec. 5, from 4:30

to 6 p.m. Tukwila, Tuesday, Dec.13, from 5 to

6:30 p.m.RSVP where you plan to attend: Tukwila – (206) 433-0991 or Everett – (425) 355-2883. In Wichita, SPEEA will hire a local parlia-mentarian to teach similar classes after the first of the year.

Kristen Beifus

Print delivery delayed

due to staff schedules.

SPEEA NEWS / Oct. 28, 2011 / No. 2142 • 3

WichitaWichita

UPCOMING TRAINING/EVENTS

Puget SoundPuget Sound(See online calendar for details – remember to RSVP)

Sign-up for home email www.speea.org

Executive Board mini-minutes – Oct. 6

Attendees: Tom McCarty, Jimmie Mathis, Ryan Rule, Mike Hochberg, Ron Shoemaker, Bill Hartig, Earl Carter Council: Joel Funfar, Rebekah Hewitt, Dave SilkroskiGuests: Sandy Hastings, Joe Newberry, Rich Wichels, Shannon Moriarty, Orlando De Los SantosStaff: Ray Goforth, Rich Plunkett, Robin Fleming, Pauline Tamblyn, Steve Spyridis, Martin Pascual, Bob Rommel, April Rebollo, Matt KempfAt their regular meeting, the Board: Approved travel expenses for Th eryl

(TJ) Johnson to attend the Out and Equal Workplace Summit Oct. 25-28 in Dallas, Texas, and SPEEA time.

Approved the procurement of 300 travel mugs for Council Reps.

Approved the procurement of 1,000 SPEEA solidarity T-shirts.

Approved up to $135,000 to support union organizing.

Approved solicitation of proposals for a website addressing multiple platforms, web browsers and IE6 limitations.

Approved the Communication Com-mittee recommendation for requesting visibility items (see below).

Visibility item request process

Requests for “new” items have a multi-step review and approval process through the SPEEA Communications Department and the Executive Board.

1) Visibility item suggestions are reviewed by SPEEA Communica-tions to ensure proper branding and conforming to policy.

2) Item is submitted to the SPEEA Executive Board Communications Committee for approval.

3) Item goes to the Executive Board Finance Committee to determine availability of funds.

4) Full Executive Board votes on the purchase.

5) SPEEA Communications Department works with vendor to supply proper art work and place order.

SPEEA visibility items are:o Made in U.S.A. or Canadao Manufactured by union-represented

employees

o Carry a union “bug”Committee requests – While a formal process does not exist, committees looking to purchase and use new items will have the best chance of success by following general guidelines:o Talk with SPEEA Communications

about what is presently in stock and available.

o Committee members with ideas for items that have not been used before should do initial research for availability and cost. (Manufacturers will usually need to be called and asked specifi cally about where the item or its parts are made, assembled and then printed. Ask if all or any phases of the process are per-formed by union-represented employees.

o Discuss the idea and your fi ndings with SPEEA Communications. Be prepared to discuss the use for the item and quantities needed.

o SPEEA Communications will confi rm research, get cost estimates, and bring a proposal to the Executive Board Communications Committee.

o Executive Board Communications Committee members may have ad-ditional questions for the committee. E-Board Communications will then rule on the request and forward to the E-Board Finance Committee and full E-Board for funding consideration.

o SPEEA Executive Board acts on the formal motion to purchase.

o If approved, SPEEA Communications will contact the vendor for art work specifi cations; prepare the artwork with the proper logo, colors and use of SPEEA logo before placing the order.

Committees should allow approximately four to six weeks from funding approval to delivery of the requested item.

Boeing layoff notices

On Oct. 14, The Boeing Company issued 60-day notices of lay-off (effective) to eight SPEEA-

represented engineers in the Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU), effective Dec. 16, and none in the Puget Sound.SPEEA will continue to monitor the layoff activities and support those who receive notices. More layoff information and help for those with WARN notices can be found at www.speea.org. The next 60-day notices of layoff were expected Oct. 28.

Robert’s Rules of Order Part I – Basic*

Wednesday, Nov. 2SPEEA Everett, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 7SPEEA Tukwila, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Deceptive Interview Tactics*

Wednesday, Nov. 9SPEEA Everett, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 30SPEEA Tukwila, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Negotiation Team orientation sessions

Monday, Nov. 7, and Thursday, Nov. 10SPEEA Everett, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

SPEEA Tukwila, 5 to 6 p.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 4 p.m. in both locations

Understanding Notice of Remedial Action (NORAs)*

Monday, Nov. 14SPEEA Everett, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

SPEEA hockey night (discount tickets) with Seattle Thunderbirds

Saturday, Nov. 19Showare Center, Kent, at 7:05 p.m.

*Approved for Council Rep training requirement

Holiday Lights Tour

Thursday, Dec. 8, at 5:45 p.m.(Sneak peek at Botanica gardens’ Illuminations display)

Bowling with SantaSaturday, Dec. 10, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Free bowling, food and gifts for kids

Hosted by the Midwest Membership Activities Committee (MAC)

4 • SPEEA NEWS / Oct. 28, 2011 / No. 2142

M I D W E S T M E E T I N G S ( A L L T I M E S C S T ) NORTHWEST MEETINGS (ALL TIMES PST )

This newsletter is approved for posting on SPEEA Bulletin Boards

UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULES Week of October 31, 2011Monday, Oct. 31 4:00 p.m. Council Offi cers Meeting

Tuesday, Nov. 1 4:00 p.m. SPEEA Governing Documents Subcommittee

Tuesday, Nov. 1 5:00 p.m. Leadership Development & Training

Wednesday, Nov. 2 4:30 p.m. ACT Committee

Wednesday, Nov. 2 5:00 p.m. Health & Wellness

Thursday, Nov. 3 4:00 p.m. Executive Board

Week of November 7, 2011Tuesday, Nov. 8 4:00 p.m. SPEEA Governing Documents Subcommittee

Tuesday, Nov. 8 4:30 p.m. History Club

Wednesday, Nov. 9 5:00 p.m. Membership Activities Committee

Thursday, Nov. 10 5:00 p.m. Council Meeting

Week of November 14 2011Monday, Nov. 14 5:00 p.m. New Hire Committee

Tuesday, Nov. 15 4:00 p.m. SPEEA Governing Documents Subcommittee

Tuesday, Nov. 15 4:30 p.m. Organizational Planning

Tuesday, Nov. 15 4:30 p.m. Tellers Committee

Wednesday, Nov. 16 4:00 p.m. SPEEA Governing Documents

Wednesday, Nov. 16 5:30 p.m. NW Governing Documents

Thursday, Nov. 17 4:00 p.m. Executive Board

Week of October 31, 2011Tuesday, Nov. 1 6:00 p.m. SPEEA Governing Documents Subcommittee

Thursday, Nov. 3 4:30 p.m. MW Membership Activities

Thursday, Nov. 3 6:00 p.m. Executive Board

Week of November 7, 2011Tuesday, Nov. 8 6:00 p.m. SPEEA Governing Documents Subcommittee

Thursday, Nov. 10 11:00 a.m. MW Young Professionals

Thursday, Nov. 10 4:00 p.m. Council Meeting

Week of November 14, 2011Monday, Nov. 14 11:00 a.m. MW Membership Recruitment

Tuesday, Nov. 15 6:00 p.m. SPEEA Governing Documents Subcommittee

Wednesday, Nov. 16 4:00 p.m. MW Governing Documents

Wednesday, Nov. 16 6:00 p.m. SPEEA Governing Documents

Thursday, Nov. 17 4:30 p.m. MW Legislative & Public Aff airs

Thursday, Nov. 17 6:00 p.m. Executive Board

SPEEA Council actions – Oct. 13 At their regular meeting, the SPEEA Council:Recognized new Council Reps:• Angel Leon – Everett - District E-25• Andy Mittal – Kent – District K-9• Tami Reichersamer  - District E-16

Voted on the following motions:• M11-033 Questions for Executive

Officer Candidate Elections - For: 75, Against: 13. Motion passed.

• M11-034 Support of Keeping National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Processes Non Politicized and Protecting

Labor Rights - For: 71, Against: 19. Motion passed.

• M11-035 Support SPEEA Joining the Partnership for Patients. Amended to change the word ‘associate’ to ‘joined.’ For: 82, Against: 8. Motion passed as amended.

• M11-036 Support SPEEA Promoting the Coalition for a Prosperous America. For: 70, Against: 25. Motion passed.

To see the complete motions, go to www.speea.org (Click on SPEEA Councils/Council agendas).

Executive Board mini-minutes –Oct. 20 Attendees: Tom McCarty, Jimmie Mathis, Ryan Rule, Mike Hochberg, Ron Shoemaker, Bill Hartig, Earl Carter Council: Joel Funfar, Debbie Logsdon, Dave SilkroskiGuests: Gordon Yip and Michael Campbell, director for US FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)Staff: Ray Goforth, Rich Plunkett, Robin Fleming, Pauline Tamblyn, Steve Spyridis, Martin Pascual, Bob Rommel, Matt KempfAt their regular meeting, the Board:• Approved up to $2,000 to document

SPEEA history.The next meeting is Nov. 3.

Celebrating Native American Heritage month

The month of November is rec-ognized as the National Native American Heritage Month to

celebrate the contributions of Native Americans.

Did you know?J o h n B e n n e t t Harrington, 53, a mem-ber of the Chickasaw Nation, is the first Native American enrolled in a tribe to walk in space. To honor his heritage, he car-ried a Chickasaw Nation flag on his 11-day Space Shuttle mission. In addi-tion to space exploration,

Harrington spent 10 days underwater aboard the Aquarius underwater labora-tory. He retired from the Navy and NASA in 2005.

Ely S. Parker (1828-1895) is recognized as the first Native American civil engineer. He was a member of the Seneca Nation (of the Iroquois Confederacy). As a a civil engineer, he contrib-uted to the upgrades and maintenance of the Erie Canal. He also served in

the Civil War as staff to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. When Grant was elected U.S. presi-dent, he appointed Parker to become the

first Native American Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Get involvedInterested in getting involved to raise awareness about diversity-related issues? Attend a Diversity Committee meeting on the last Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. (Pacific Time) in all three SPEEA halls.

John Bennett Herrington

Ely S. Parker