Boeing Engineers Reject Contract Offers, Authorize Potential Strike

Almost 17,000 engineers, scientists, technicians, analysts, and designers at Boeing have voted to reject two contract offers from the company. The vote was unanimous among the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) negotiation team, but workers across Washington and Oregon rejected the offer by a significant margin.

The contracts, which cover 13,000 workers and expire on October 6, were met with widespread discontent among employees. In the Technical Unit, workers rejected the contract by 71.87 percent and authorized a strike by 89.71 percent. The Professional Unit saw an even stronger rejection of the offer, with 64.25 percent voting against it and 87.82 percent authorizing a strike.

This vote marks the third major act of defiance by Boeing workers in three years. In 2024, 33,000 machinists in Washington, Oregon, and California went on strike for 53 days, halting most Boeing commercial-aircraft production in the Pacific Northwest. The IAM's handling of the strike was widely criticized by workers, who felt that the union did not adequately represent their interests.

Boeing engineers and technicians are demanding better wages, improved working conditions, and greater job security. They are also seeking to address concerns about safety and the impact of technology on their jobs. With a 29.4 percent compounded wage-pool increase offered by Boeing, workers are skeptical that the company is willing to meet their demands.