WSJ: US Mediators Suspend Talks Between Boeing, Engineers Union Until New Year

By Jon Ostrower

Boeing Co. and its engineers' union have accepted a recommendation from a federal mediator to suspend contract negotiations until after Jan. 1, following an impasse between the parties that have left the ongoing talks stalled.

The aerospace giant and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace - or Speea - which represents 23,000 Boeing engineers and technical workers agreed to the recommendation to suspend the talks, said Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service director George Cohen in a statement.

Mr. Cohen added the mediation service will work with both parties to schedule a resumption of negotiations.

Boeing requested a federal mediator last week after the company determined the disagreements with the white-collar union over pensions, salaries and medical benefits were too vast to be solved without outside assistance.

In late-September, Speea members voted to reject Boeing's first contract offer with 96% casting ballots in opposition. The engineers' contract expired on Oct. 6 and the negotiations have become increasingly contentious.

Write to Jon Ostrower at jon.ostrower@wsj.com

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

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