Wichita ? The union that represents technical and professional workers at Boeing Co.’s Wichita plant said Friday it was postponing contract talks until after an upcoming union decertification vote.

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace delivered a letter notifying Boeing of its intention to wait until after the Feb. 12 election before beginning main table bargaining. In the letter, the union told the company it did not believe either party could make meaningful progress under the distraction of the election.

Union representatives said negotiation subcommittees would continue to meet in the interim and gather data. The current contract, which expires Feb. 19, will likely be extended, the union said.

“We don’t want to negotiate on this side of the certification effort because we don’t trust the environment,” said Charles Bofferding, the union’s executive director.

Fred Solis, a spokesman for Boeing in Wichita, said the company was disappointed in the union’s decision.