Boeing Engineers Authorize Strike as Production Ramps Up
Boeing's engineers and technical workers have authorized a strike after rejecting the company's contract offers. The two SPEEA units representing Boeing's approximately 17,000 engineers and technical workers voted overwhelmingly to reject the contracts on Aug. 21, with around 88% and 90% support.
The current contracts expire at midnight on Oct. 6, which means a strike can't occur while they remain in effect. However, if a deal isn't reached before then, it could halt production and certification work, including the 737-10 certification that's still outstanding.
Boeing has been ramping up its 737 production to 47 aircraft per month, but this increase depends on engineering support, which would be impacted by a strike. The company is taking the risk seriously, diverting dollars from investments in the SPEEA-represented team to prepare for a potential strike.
However, there's some reason for optimism, as Boeing and SPEEA will meet on Monday to restart talks after the union surveyed its members on what a better offer needs. But the recent precedent is uncomfortable, with a 2024 machinists' strike lasting over seven weeks before a richer contract ended it.