Members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) rejected a four-year contract offer from Boeing. The union represents approximately 17,000 engineers and technical workers. The professional unit voted 64.3% against the deal. The technical unit rejected the offer by 71.9%. This was the first full contract negotiation between the two sides in nearly 14 years.
Union members also overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. Nearly 88% of the professional unit supported the strike authorization. The technical unit favored a strike by 90%.
The union may call a strike if the parties fail to reach an agreement before the October 6 contract expiration. SPEEA indicated a willingness to resume negotiations with Boeing management. Members cited deep mistrust of management as a primary reason for the rejection. Workers also expressed concerns that proposed wage increases would not keep pace with inflation.