Boeing Hires Contractors Amid Strike Risk with SPEEA Union

Boeing has begun hiring contractors to fill engineering and technical roles at its local plants in light of the SPEEA union's strike risk. On August 21, the SPEEA engineering and technicians union units authorized a strike if a new contract isn't figured out before October 7.

The company had said it would implement a strike contingency plan, but didn't specify whether the contractor hires are part of that plan. A Boeing spokesperson stated, 'We want to reach an agreement before the current contract expires and look forward to finding a solution with SPEEA at the table.'

The union, which represents about 17,000 members predominantly working for Boeing, hopes the company will come back to the negotiating table. Bryan Corliss, a SPEEA spokesman, said, 'It appears that both sides are preparing for the possibility of a strike.'

The roles posted range from structural design engineers to technical designers and manufacturing planners. All appear to point to working at Boeing through third-party contractors that work in aerospace staffing.