Boeing union urges strike vote at Kansas plant

WICHITA, Kan. -- Union leaders at the Boeing Co.'s military aircraft plant in Kansas want engineers to reject the company's contract offer and authorize a strike.

Negotiations broke down last week between Chicago-based Boeing and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace. The union represents 700 engineers at Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems plant in Wichita.

Union members are voting Thursday on the same contract they rejected 209-28 last month. This time, the union also is asking for a strike authorization. A simple majority is required to approve both issues.