Boeing Prepares for Strike as Engineers Union Votes on Contract

Boeing is bracing for a potential strike by its engineers union after the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) voted to authorize a walkout. The company's second contract offer, which includes a 34% pay increase over four years and a 14% guaranteed wage boost in the first six months, has yet to be ratified.

Company officials have been quietly cutting costs and planning for contingencies, including a soft hiring freeze that will temporarily halt non-critical positions. Managers at Boeing are being asked to delay filling empty roles, while executives have been told to put off planning off-site retreats.

Boeing is also advertising for temporary workers to fill in during a potential work stoppage, with job postings on Indeed.com offering up to $100 an hour for contract engineers at Washington and California sites.

According to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, the company's top priority is avoiding a strike, which would significantly impact operations, particularly the 777 certification program. If a walkout occurs, production will be affected, with ripple effects extending even into current projects.