Boeing Union Votes on Revised Contract Offer Amid Strike Threat
Boeing's largest white-collar union, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), will vote on Thursday to accept or reject a revised contract offer from the company. The 17,000 members are considering a sweetened deal that includes a 10% guaranteed raise and lifts annual guaranteed raises to a flat 4%, plus 2% performance increases possible.
The SPEEA's two units have been negotiating with Boeing for months, and the union has already authorized a strike if the contract negotiations fail. A second rejection by the members would clear the way for a walkout as soon as October 7, which would halt work on two long-delayed jetliners and slow down jet deliveries.
Boeing's certification campaigns for the 737 MAX 10 and 777-9 would be abruptly halted, disrupting its push to boost jetliner deliveries. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has expressed concerns about a strike, stating that it would financially hurt the company.
The revised offer is seen as an improvement over the first one, with the average SPEEA member expected to receive a 32% raise over four years, compared to 26.5% under the initial proposal. However, some union members remain opposed to the deal, citing concerns about inflation and fuel prices.