P.M. BRIEFING : Boeing Calls Off Strike Talks

Boeing Co. has called off talks with striking engineers because of what the company called “grossly excessive” demands.

Boeing spokesman Harold Carr said the company and the Seattle Professional Engineering Employees Assn. met Monday for what was supposed to be two days of talks.

Carr said Boeing canceled today’s session because of the union’s “unrealistic and grossly excessive economic proposal.”

The union, which represents 28,000 engineers and technical support workers, said it was seeking raises of 19% in the first year and 8% in the second and third years of a contract. The current contract expires Dec. 1.

Union spokesman Dan Mahoney said he had no comment on Boeing’s action.

The company is scheduled to resume talks with striking machinists Wednesday.