Boeing's SPEEA union ratifies new contract, averting strike

Boeing's white-collar union, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), voted Thursday to accept the company's latest contract proposal, eliminating the risk of a strike. The union, which represents about 17,000 engineers, scientists, analysts and technicians at Boeing facilities in Washington and surrounding states, conducted electronic voting for roughly a week.

Nearly 68% of the professional unit—about 7,895 members—approved the deal, while 53% of the technical unit—2,061 members—supported it. Voter participation was high, with 96% of the professional unit and 89% of the technical unit casting ballots.

The agreement follows a rejected first offer in August, when a majority of members voted against the proposal and authorized a strike that could have begun after the current contract expires on Oct. 6. SPEEA’s negotiating team said the earlier rejection reflected a loss of trust in Boeing management.

The new contract provides an average 32% wage increase over four years, including a guaranteed 10% raise effective Oct. 2, a 4% increase in March, and annual wage-pool growth of 6% with a 4% guaranteed component for each worker. Average base salaries are set to rise to $208,000 for professional staff and $163,000 for technical staff, up from $152,000 and $119,000 respectively under the first offer.

"We need to work with Boeing, and as needed, pressure Boeing management … to rebuild an environment suitable for reestablishing trust with the membership that has eroded over the past decades," SPEEA’s negotiating team said.

"With the second offer, we secured many victories that some thought were completely out of reach when this negotiation cycle started," the union added.

The union indicated that while the contract is a step forward, further work remains to address ongoing concerns.