WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Boeing Co. has called a recess to contract negotiations with a union representing more than 700 engineers in Wichita, Kansas.

Boeing spokesman Jarrod Bartlett said Friday that the pause will give the aircraft manufacturer a chance to look at a counteroffer from the Wichita unit of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace. He said no additional negotiations are scheduled.

Contract talks between Chicago-based Boeing and the SPEEA Wichita unit began Nov. 17, and union negotiators rejected an initial contract offer.

SPEEA executive director Ray Goforth said in a news release that the offer failed to meet the union's lowest expectations.

More than 20,000 Boeing engineers and technical workers represented by SPEEA in Washington, Utah, California and Oregon ratified new four-year contracts earlier this week.