Boeing engineers to vote on revised four-year contract as strike deadline nears

Boeing workers represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace will vote on the company's latest four-year contract proposal between 24 September and 1 October, the union said. Members rejected Boeing's first offer on 21 September, even though their negotiating councils had recommended approval.

Two of the union's bargaining councils have endorsed the new terms, saying the deal meets most members' needs and delivers gains on most of the priorities set out when talks began. Whether the wider membership agrees is not yet clear.

The current contract runs out on 6 October, leaving workers free to strike from 7 October. The outcome of the vote should show by the end of next week whether Boeing faces another walkout.

SPEEA represents about 17,000 Boeing employees: an engineers and scientists unit of roughly 14,000, and about 4,000 technicians, analysts and planners.

The revised offer would raise wages by 36% over four years, against 29% in the initial proposal.

Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg said on 16 September that a strike would disrupt the manufacturer's operations, halting certification work on the 777-9 and slowing production of the 737 Max. He said the company has drawn up a contingency plan in case staff leave their posts, and that avoiding any work stoppage is its main priority because the impact would be significant.