Boeing Engineers Approve Contract to Avert Potential Strike
Boeing engineers and technical workers approved a new four-year contract, securing a 10% immediate raise and avoiding a strike that would have halted aircraft certifications.
Approximately 17,000 members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace approved a new four-year contract on October 1, averting a potential strike that could have begun as early as October 7. The agreement follows the rejection of an August proposal that offered only 3% annual raises.
The ratified contract includes an immediate 10% wage increase and flat annual guaranteed raises of 4%, with merit-based increases up to 6%. The professional unit voted 67.62% in favor of the deal, while the technical unit approved it with 53.48% support. The resolution prevents a work stoppage that would have disrupted deliveries and halted certification campaigns for the 777-9 and 737 MAX 10 jetliners.
With the labor dispute settled, Boeing can focus on increasing production and securing federal approval for its delayed aircraft models. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration is evaluating a software issue on the 737 MAX 10 to determine if it poses a safety of flight risk regarding landing procedures.
