Boeing’s largest white-collar union, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), voted to ratify a new four-year contract, averting a strike that could have begun as soon as October 7. The agreement covers approximately 17,000 engineers and technical workers who are critical to the planemaker’s production and certification efforts.
The deal provides an immediate 10% pay raise and guarantees annual increases of 4%. Union members had rejected a previous offer and authorized a strike before reaching the revised agreement.
A work stoppage could have further delayed certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 and 777X jets, both already years behind schedule. Boeing had warned that a strike would damage its recovery and production targets. The ratification provides stability as the company works to increase commercial airplane output.