Representatives of the Seattle Professional Engineering Employees Association (SPEEA) today (April 26) told shareholders of The Boeing Company if they want to return the company to its premiere position, they need to value employees.

A start, is to give employees a seat on aerospace giant’s Board of Directors.

Charles Bofferding, SPEEA executive director, and Stan Sorscher, chairman of the Seattle Professional Unit’s negotiating team, offered their advice during The Boeing Company’s annual meeting. Excerpts from Bofferding and Sorscher:

Charles H. Bofferding, Executive Director: “This year we rise to say that there should be a voice on the Board of Directors for both customers and employees. A voice to influence decisions. A voice to speak loudly and clearly for a balance between all of Boeing’s stakeholder groups (shareholders, customers and employees). A voice that proclaims that employees are the solution and not the problem. Now is the time to get back to basics and make this new company work for everyone.”

“SPEEA’s view is that all stakeholder groups…must have a voice at the New Boeing company, and together we can make the right things happen for everyone.”

Stan Sorscher, chairman of the Seattle Professional Unit’s negotiating team:

“In the last few years, many of our commercial airplane customers have turned to competitors. In recent surveys, employee morale and confidence in the business plan have declined significantly.

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“Our competitive advantage will be found in our people, our products, and our processes. We will achieve a sustainable competitive advantage through improved productivity and increased customer value, not by cost cutting.

“It is clear that we must balance the interests of shareholders, customers and employees if we are to retain our position as an aerospace leader.”

For a complete transcript contact Bill Dugovich at 425/227-3968.