SPEEA Contract Vote Looms as Union Members Express Resentment Over Stagnant Wages and Job Movement
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) is facing a contentious contract vote, with lingering resentment and poor communication contributing to opposition. The current tentative agreement (TA) between SPEEA and Boeing has been met with skepticism by union members, who claim wages have fallen behind inflation and jobs have been moved out of the Seattle area.
The Bargaining Unit Councils (BUCs) for professional engineers and technicians both voted against recommending approval of the contract. The BUC for technicians obtained a 60% supermajority to recommend rejection, while the engineers' BUC fell short but still saw 58% vote against approval.
Some members are comparing the current TA unfavorably to the IAM 751 contract negotiated in 2024, which included a 43% increase in wages over the life of the contract. Boeing and SPEEA leadership argue that SPEEA members already have higher wages and more benefits, but this hasn't alleviated concerns about stagnant pay.
Online voting on the TA begins August 13, and if no contract is approved by October 6, a strike may be authorized. Boeing's financial situation has improved since the IAM strike in 2024, but some analysts warn that a prolonged SPEEA strike could still disrupt supply chains and impact the company's recovery.