Boeing Workers Approve Contract Offer, Averting Strike Fears

Boeing's largest white-collar union has approved a new contract offer from the company, averting fears of a strike that could have stalled work on two long-delayed jetliners. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), which represents about 17,000 Boeing workers, announced Thursday that both its bargaining units had voted to approve the four-year deal.

The new offer includes a guaranteed 10% wage increase upon ratification, as well as annual raises of 4%, and the possibility of an additional 2% hike based on performance. In the professional unit, which represents roughly 13,000 engineers and scientists, about 68% voted in favor of the deal, while over 53% of the technical unit, representing about 4,000 designers, analysts, and technicians, also approved it.

The ratification provides much-needed relief for Boeing, easing concerns over a potential strike as early as October 7, the day after current contracts expire. A work stoppage could have delayed critical certification efforts for the 737 MAX 10 narrowbody and 777X widebody, while also disrupting the company's plans to increase production and accelerate deliveries.

The SPEEA had previously rejected Boeing's initial offer, which linked guaranteed raises to inflation, capped at 3%, with up to an additional 2.5% based on performance. This marks a significant improvement for Boeing workers, who had been seeking better pay and benefits. The last strike against the company was in 2000, when engineers and technical workers walked out for 40 days in a dispute over pay and benefits.