Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is juggling high-profile headaches—software problems, production hiccups, and the 777X program—while trying to avoid a work stoppage with its engineers and technicians. The union representing roughly 17,000 aerospace engineers and technicians is in its first full contract talks in 14 years, pushing for better wages and work-life balance.
"We're working very hard to try to avoid any kind of a work stoppage," Ortberg said. "If we did have a strike, essentially the 777 certification program shuts down." The union's councils have backed a proposal increasing wages by 34% over four years, lifting average base salaries to about $208,000 for engineers and $163,000 for technicians. The contract still needs rank-and-file approval, with voting ending Thursday.
Approval is uncertain after workers voted down an initial offer in August, with roughly 90% authorizing a strike as soon as Oct. 7. Union members cite compensation lagging behind other area employers and poor work-life balance. "We're the brains behind the planes," said engineer Katheryn Durkee.
Boeing's unionized workers demonstrated power in 2024 when a mechanics strike by 33,000 machinists froze factories for eight weeks, securing a 38% wage hike. The risk of a partial shutdown is immense for Boeing's commercial division, which hasn't posted an annual operating profit since 2018.
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing