Engineers Contracts

In another instance of organized labor's dwindling hold on the loyalty of private-sector workers, engineers at the Skunk Works, where Lockheed has pushed the frontiers of military aviation design since World War II, have voted to scuttle their union. The engineers voted 444-407 Thursday to decertify the Engineers and Scientists Guild as their bargaining agent with the Lockheed-Martin Corp., with decertification proponents saying that unions are not for professionals.

Boeing Co. engineers accepted a four-year contract offer, averting a possible second strike this year at the No. 2 commercial-aircraft maker. The contract was approved by 79% of the engineers and 69% of technical workers, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace said. The union had threatened to walk out over similar issues of job security and compensation that prompted an eight-week strike by machinists.

Rockwell International won a $60-million contract Friday to continue development over the next 18 months of an engine to power the National Aerospace Plane (NASP), the craft that will take off like an airplane and soar into orbit at Mach 25. Rockwell's competitor in the development program, Pratt & Whitney, was awarded an equal contract to continue development of its engine, which differs significantly from Rockwell's design. The Pentagon and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which are sponsoring the program, had planned to possibly eliminate one of the firms from the competition, but decided instead to continue both developments.

Transportation leaders advanced the CenterLine project Monday by awarding a $38-million contract for preliminary engineering work on the proposed light-rail system from Irvine to Santa Ana. The board of the Orange County Transportation Authority hired Parsons Brinckerhoff, a Southern California engineering firm, for the work on the 15-mile rail line. Parsons was among three finalists. "This is a milestone in the process," said Tim Keenan, vice chairman of the OCTA board.

Lockheed Martin Corp. said it selected General Electric Co. to provide engines for an updated version of its Galaxy transport aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, a contract that could be valued at up to $2.6 billion. Lockheed expects to be awarded the engine upgrade work by the Air Force in the first quarter of 2001. General Electric beat out United Technologies Corp.'s Pratt & Whitney unit and Rolls-Royce for the contract, which calls for GE to supply 540 jet engines and spare parts over 10 years.

Transportation leaders advanced the CenterLine project Monday by awarding a $38-million contract for preliminary engineering work on the proposed light-rail system from Irvine to Santa Ana. The board of the Orange County Transportation Authority hired Parsons Brinckerhoff, a Southern California engineering firm, for the work on the 15-mile rail line. Parsons was among three finalists. "This is a milestone in the process," said Tim Keenan, vice chairman of the OCTA board.

A three-company team has been awarded a five-year contract to provide engineering and other services to the Navy's Air Warfare Center Weapons Division bases at Point Mugu and China Lake. One of the firms, Sverdrup Technology, has opened an office on Solar Drive in Oxnard and expects to hire several hundred new employees in Ventura County in the next several years. Sverdrup, a unit of the St. Louis-based Sverdrup Corp., joined with Aegir Systems of Oxnard and INS Inc. of Bensalem, Pa.

Boeing Co.'s largest engineers union voted to accept a three-year labor agreement that boosts pay and preserves healthcare benefits, helping the company avoid a strike and keep its 787-model aircraft program on schedule. About 90% of the members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace who voted approved the contract, the Chicago-based company said Friday. Wages will increase 17% for engineers and 15% for technical workers.

The Hellenic Air Force of Greece placed a $200-million order for General Electric's F110-GE-100 engines to power 40 General Dynamics F-16C/D fighters. The sale covers engines, support equipment, and spare parts, and could eventually total almost $300 million if the Greeks exercise an option to buy an additional 20 F-16C/Ds powered by the F110. In another development, GE received a $161 million U.S.

International Lease Finance Corp., the giant plane lessor, ordered $910 million worth of aircraft engines from Rolls-Royce on Tuesday in a deal that included engines for the future Airbus Industrie superjumbo A-3XX. The order by the Century City-based company places the British engine maker ahead of its U.S. rivals General Electric Co. and United Technologies Co.'s Pratt & Whitney unit in the race to provide engines for the new superjumbo jet, Rolls-Royce said.

Lockheed Martin Corp. said it selected General Electric Co. to provide engines for an updated version of its Galaxy transport aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, a contract that could be valued at up to $2.6 billion. Lockheed expects to be awarded the engine upgrade work by the Air Force in the first quarter of 2001. General Electric beat out United Technologies Corp.'s Pratt & Whitney unit and Rolls-Royce for the contract, which calls for GE to supply 540 jet engines and spare parts over 10 years.

After an unusual arrangement with Staples Center broke a nerve-rattling impasse, operating engineers signed a labor contract Wednesday, eliminating the final hurdle to a labor peace accord for the Democratic convention in August. Although the deal covers only seven engineers, they are crucial to the smooth running of an event, operating the air conditioning, heating, major electrical and ice-making systems.

In another instance of organized labor's dwindling hold on the loyalty of private-sector workers, engineers at the Skunk Works, where Lockheed has pushed the frontiers of military aviation design since World War II, have voted to scuttle their union. The engineers voted 444-407 Thursday to decertify the Engineers and Scientists Guild as their bargaining agent with the Lockheed-Martin Corp., with decertification proponents saying that unions are not for professionals.

County officials acknowledged Wednesday that a mistake was made when county staff hired an engineering firm for $75,000 to work on the El Toro airport project without first consulting the Board of Supervisors. Nearly two weeks ago, county staff hired Geo Syntech to analyze landfill sites at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, which will be turned over to the county in fall 1999.

Fluor Corp. said its Fluor Daniel unit was awarded a contract for under $50 million to provide engineering services for the expansion of a Saudi Arabian petrochemical complex. Once the project is completed, it will be one of the largest petrochemicals complexes in the world, producing 1.6 million tons of ethylene and more than 2 million tons of other derivative products, Fluor Daniel said. The contract was awarded by Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co.