boeing Engineers and technology workers approved generous four-year contracts with an immediate 10% pay raise, averting a potential strike at major aerospace companies demanding federal approval for new aircraft and increased aircraft production.
“We have won many victories that some thought were completely out of reach when this negotiation cycle began,” said the Society of Aerospace Professional Engineers, which represents about 13,000 Boeing engineers and 4,000 technical workers.
Boeing increased its offer in mid-September after workers rejected an earlier offer. The 4-year contract includes a 10% ratified pay increase, plus 4% salary increases each year, up to a 6% salary increase based on performance.
According to the union, the professional sector, which includes engineers, voted 67.62% in favor of the new contract, while the technical sector approved the contract with 53.48%.
A work group representing Boeing’s largest white-collar union overwhelmingly rejected an earlier proposal for a 3% annual raise.
Boeing said in a statement that it was “pleased with the outcome of the vote.”
The approval allows Boeing to stabilize and increase production of its top-selling jets and avoid a strike as it seeks to win federal approval for the 737 Max 10 and 777X, which are years behind schedule.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that it is evaluating whether a software issue on its 737 Max 10 planes that could affect landing procedures in certain scenarios poses a flight safety issue.
A machinists’ strike two years ago halted production until both sides reached an agreement.
