Boeing engineers and technical workers have approved new four-year labor agreements, removing the threat of a strike that could have disrupted work on several of the manufacturer's commercial aircraft programs.
Members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) approved revised offers from Boeing on Wednesday. The agreements cover around 17,000 employees, including approximately 13,000 engineers and scientists and 4,000 technical workers, designers and analysts.
Among professional employees, 67.62% voted to accept the agreement. Approval was considerably narrower among technical workers, with 53.48% voting in favor.
The result ends a labor dispute that had raised the possibility of a strike beginning as early as October 7. Union members had previously authorized SPEEA to call a work stoppage if negotiations failed.
The potential strike was particularly sensitive for Boeing because SPEEA members work across engineering, production support and aircraft certification. A stoppage could have affected ongoing certification work for the 737 MAX 10 and 777-9, two aircraft that Boeing is seeking to bring into commercial service.
Second offer wins approval
Workers rejected Boeing's previous proposal in August. At the time, 64% of professional employees and 72% of technical workers voted against the offer.
The revised agreements provide an immediate 10% salary increase, followed by annual increases of at least 4%. Additional performance-related adjustments could add up to two percentage points in subsequent years.
According to Reuters, average pay is expected to increase by approximately 32% over the four-year duration of the contracts. The revised package also improves retirement contributions for some employees.
Boeing had begun preparing contingency plans in case a strike occurred. The agreement removes another potential disruption as the manufacturer works to increase aircraft production and complete several delayed certification programs.
SPEEA last staged a major strike at Boeing in 2000. That stoppage involved engineers and technical workers and lasted 40 days, affecting production and aircraft deliveries.
The new agreements cover employees primarily in Washington state, where Boeing conducts much of its commercial aircraft engineering work and assembles the 737 in Renton and the 777 family in Everett.
