Boeing and the union representing thousands of its engineers and technical workers have reached a tentative four-year contract agreement, marking progress in negotiations after members rejected the company’s previous offer.
The agreement was reached with the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), which represents Boeing engineers and technical employees in several US states.
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The new proposal includes larger general wage increases than the previous offer, which union members overwhelmingly rejected in an August 21 vote. The earlier rejection had raised concerns about a possible strike if the two sides failed to reach an agreement.
Negotiations resumed this week after Boeing and SPEEA agreed to return to the bargaining table. The union had said higher general wage increases were among its members’ main priorities.
Boeing confirmed during the negotiations that discussions had made progress, while noting that several important issues remained under consideration. The company and union have now reached the tentative agreement as they seek to resolve the dispute without a work stoppage.
The agreement is not yet final. SPEEA members will need to review and vote on the proposed contract before it can be formally ratified.
The negotiations are being closely watched because a strike had been authorised after members rejected the earlier proposal. A potential work stoppage had created uncertainty for Boeing and its workforce as the company continues efforts to improve operations and production.
For Boeing, reaching an agreement with its engineering workforce could provide greater stability and help the company focus on its aircraft development and manufacturing programmes.
For union members, the improved wage provisions represent an important part of the negotiations, although the final decision will depend on whether members believe the new contract adequately addresses their concerns.
The tentative agreement therefore represents a significant step toward ending the labour dispute, but the process will not be complete until SPEEA members vote on the proposed four-year deal.