Full Breakdown
Boeing Engineers Approve Four-Year Contract, Averting Potential Strike
By Drooid · · How we work
Contract Approval and Vote Results
On Thursday, members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) voted to accept Boeing’s latest contract offer, ending a week-long electronic ballot. The professional unit, representing roughly 13,000 engineers and scientists, approved the deal by a margin of about 68% (7,895 for, 3,780 against). The technical unit, covering about 4,000 analysts, technicians and specialists, approved by just over 53% (2,061 for, 1,793 against). Voter participation was high, with 96% of the professional unit and 89% of the technical unit casting ballots.
Terms of the Agreement
The four-year contract delivers an average 32% wage increase, up from the 26.5% raise in Boeing’s initial proposal. Key components include:
- A guaranteed 10% wage hike followed by a 4% increase in March, then annual 4% guaranteed raises for three additional years.
- An extra 6% contribution to the collective wage pool each year, with 2% of that amount allocated based on performance metrics.
- Base-salary growth for the professional unit from $152,000 to $208,000 and for the technical unit from $119,000 to $163,000.
- Two additional vacation days, a new floating holiday, three bereavement days, and expanded health-care and retirement benefits.
- A commitment to provide bi-annual updates on each job code, giving workers clearer insight into the future of their skill sets.
Background to the Negotiations
SPEEA began bargaining with Boeing in July, the first full-scale negotiations for both units in nearly 14 years. The union rejected Boeing’s initial offer in August, with 64% of professionals and nearly 72% of technical members voting “no” and authorizing a strike that could have begun after the contract’s expiration. That rejection reflected longstanding mistrust of management, a sentiment amplified by a two-month machinists strike earlier in 2024 that disrupted production and delayed aircraft deliveries. Boeing subsequently activated a strike-contingency plan, fearing further setbacks to the 737 MAX ramp-up and certification of the 777X family.
Official Statements & Responses
Boeing expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the agreement supports the company’s ongoing recovery and its ability to meet customer commitments. SPEEA highlighted “many victories” secured in the deal and emphasized the need to rebuild trust with its membership, citing the new job-code transparency as a step toward that goal.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To improve members’ lives and help Boeing do better,” — Alex Phillips, product security engineer and SPEEA negotiator.
- “I hope this is a foundation we can continue to build a relationship with Boeing,” — Kevin Boyd, SPEEA negotiator.
- “We didn’t achieve outsourcing protections but what we did get is more visibility,” — Alex Phillips.
Why It Matters
Avoiding a strike prevents further disruption to Boeing’s aircraft delivery schedule and its efforts to increase monthly 737 MAX output. The contract’s wage guarantees and job-code transparency aim to address worker concerns that have contributed to past labor actions, thereby supporting the company’s broader recovery from quality-control setbacks and certification delays.
What’s Next
Boeing will issue bi-annual job-code updates as stipulated in the agreement, and both parties have indicated a willingness to continue collaborative “interest-based bargaining” to resolve future workforce issues.