The season for major airplane company contracts in Wichita will continue into the fall months.

Boeing engineers represented by SPEEA will begin negotiations with issues similar to those the machinists are striking over, such as health care, pensions and outsourcing. It is possible that Boeing could have two strikes at the same time.

SPEEA union leaders are disappointed with Boeing's response to contract proposals made in Seattle.

"It was pretty disappointing overall. It was more of a platform to the
direction they're headed. Absolutely no questions about our proposal," said Bob Brewer, Midwest Executive Director.

There are roughly 700 engineers at Boeing Wichita represented by SPEEA and more than 21,000 in the Seattle area. Their Wichita contract is negotiated separately from that in Seattle, with only minor differences.

"Our contracts are almost identical," said Brewer.

Brewer is not optimistic about how the talks might go.

"At this point in time I'm very concerned about the way things are headed.
We've got a company that has record profits, record sales. They've got a
huge back order," said Brewer.