Boeing posts contractor jobs as engineers threaten strike

Boeing has begun posting contractor openings in engineering and technical roles as it braces for a potential strike involving roughly 17,000 unionized employees. The postings appeared days after members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, or SPEEA, voted down a proposed four-year contract.

About 64% of engineers and 72% of technical workers rejected the offer, according to results published by the union. Both groups also voted heavily in favor of authorizing a strike. The current labor agreement expires on October 6, meaning any walkout could begin as early as October 7.

A Boeing spokesperson said the company wants to reach an agreement before the contract lapses and is working with SPEEA toward a resolution. The spokesperson also said Boeing is putting contingency plans in place, described as drawing on a range of qualified resources with continued attention to safety and quality. No further negotiating sessions are currently scheduled, according to Boeing.

A SPEEA representative said both sides appear to be preparing for the possibility of a stoppage. That includes briefing members on what a work stoppage could mean for them.

The dispute comes as Boeing continues certification work on the 737 MAX 10 and 777-9. Neither aircraft has entered airline service yet, and both have faced delays; a strike could affect that work further. Boeing also endured a lengthy strike in 2024, when about 33,000 machinists union members walked out for seven weeks, disrupting commercial aircraft production.