SEATTLE The unio for Boeings engineers and technical workers is counting ballots Tuesday on a contract offer and whether to authorize a strike.

The unio, Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, is recommending that members reject the offer because it would not provide pensions to new employees. They would have a 401k retirement plan instead. The unio calls that unacceptable. Chicago-based Boeing Co. says the change is important to the companys future.

The unio also wants the authority to call a strike if subsequent negotiations fail.

The unio represents 23,000 employees, mostly in the Puget Sound region. Negotiations began in April and unio members rejected one offer in October. The previous contract expired in November.

SPEEA went on strike for 40 days in 2000.