Boeing engineers and technical workers have approved a revised four-year contract, securing immediate 10% pay rises and removing the threat of a strike at the aerospace giant.
The agreement was backed by 67.62% of the professional unit, which includes engineers, and 53.48% of the technical unit, according to the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA).
The union represents about 13,000 Boeing engineers and 4,000 technical workers. It described the deal as delivering “many victories that some thought were completely out of reach when this negotiation cycle started”.
Following the immediate increase, the contract provides annual pay rises of 4%. Workers can also receive an increase of up to 6% based on merit.
The result follows the rejection of an earlier offer, which included annual increases of 3%. Boeing improved its proposal in mid-September.
The agreement allows Boeing to avoid industrial action as it seeks to stabilise and raise production of its fast-selling aircraft. The company is also pursuing federal approval for the 737 Max 10 and 777X, which are years behind schedule.
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday that it was assessing whether a software issue affecting the 737 Max 10 could pose a flight safety concern in certain landing scenarios.
Boeing faced a production stoppage two years ago when a machinists’ strike halted work until the company and the union reached an agreement.
