Boeing White-Collar Union Shows Early Support for New Contract Offer

Boeing's white-collar union is showing early support for the company's latest contract offer. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) has a tentative agreement with Boeing that includes a 10% guaranteed wage increase, effective October 2, and a 4% annual raise for the length of the contract.

The deal also increases the average pay increase from 26.5% to 32% over four years, addressing some of the union's concerns about guaranteed raises. The union secured a one-time salary bump for around 800 workers who were not in the midmarket salary range compared with Boeing's competitors.

While some union members are still undecided or plan to vote no, many are planning to switch from a no vote to a yes due to the higher upfront raise and guaranteed annual wage increases. The average base salary for SPEEA's professional unit would increase from $152,000 to $208,000, while the average base salary for SPEEA's tech unit would increase from $119,000 to $163,000.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg warned that a strike would disrupt the company, particularly its efforts to certify the long-delayed 777X family and increase production rates for the 737 MAX. However, union members are still preparing for the possibility of a strike in case the contract is not approved.