More than two-thirds of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace voted Friday to reject Boeing's latest contract offer and authorized a potential strike if their current contract expires on Oct. 6 without a replacement. The union, representing roughly 17,000 engineers and technicians, turned down a nearly 30 percent wage increase over four years — the largest since 1983 — despite unanimous endorsement from the negotiating committee.

Union negotiators said the vote reflected deep distrust built "brick by brick over the past several contracts." Boeing Vice President Ben Nimmergut expressed disappointment, stating the offer would position employees among market leaders in pay and benefits in the Pacific Northwest, and announced the company is implementing its strike contingency plan.

Negotiators will survey members to understand what is needed to pass a new deal before the October deadline, but the union warned it is prepared to call a labor stoppage based on overwhelming strike authorization support. Boeing has faced recent strikes, including 33,000 Seattle-area workers in 2024 and 3,200 St. Louis workers in 2025.