SEATTLE (AP) - The union representing Boeing Co. engineers and technical employees has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the company, accusing it of failing to bargain in good faith over a replacement plan for early retiree medical benefits covering some 19,300 Seattle-area workers.

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace said that as contract negotiations wrapped up in the fall of 2005, Boeing promised to work with the union to come up with a new benefits package for employees who retire at age 55.

After agreeing to extend the original deadline beyond June 1, 2006, the union said it told the company it deemed four of five proposed plans acceptable.

But in August, the union said, Boeing proposed a health savings account with what the union characterized as a high deductible as its only firm offer, which SPEEA considered unacceptable.

The union said it met with company executives in Chicago, including Chief Executive James McNerney, on Oct. 31, then received a letter from the company's labor relations department a few days later saying Boeing had concluded its efforts to replace the benefit.

Boeing has traditionally provided medical coverage to employees with 10 or more years of service who retire between age 55 and 65. But Beginning Jan. 1, employees hired into SPEEA's bargaining unit at Boeing will not be eligible for that coverage until they turn 65.

Boeing spokeswoman Debbie Nomaguchi had no immediate comment on the unfair labor practice charge, filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday, saying she had not yet had time to review it.

SPEEA represents nearly 24,000 Boeing engineers, technical and professional workers in Washington, Kansas, Oregon, Utah and California.