Boeing, SPEEA reach tentative deal for 1,600 Wichita non‑engineering workers

Boeing and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement for roughly 1,600 non‑engineering Wichita employees, the union announced following mid‑January talks. The SPEEA negotiation team and the unit’s Bargaining Unit Council unanimously recommended ratification; dues‑paying unit members must vote by 5 p.m. on Jan. 30 to approve the proposal.

The offer sets aggregate wage‑pool increases of about 20 percent over roughly five years, with a detailed schedule reported by local outlets: a 5 percent adjustment on July 10, 2026; 3.5 percent in March 2027; 4 percent in March 2028; 3.5 percent in March 2029; and 4 percent in March 2030. Individual increases will vary by annual performance scores, but the contract guarantees every employee at least a 2 percent raise each year. The package also includes a one‑time $6,000 ratification bonus, a 50 percent annual increase to promotional funds, and a 10 percent 401(k) company match beginning in 2027.

Union negotiators described broader improvements to medical and dental coverage and additional vacation time, along with clarified language on retention ratings, flexible scheduling and expanded work‑from‑home arrangements. James Hatfield, chair of the SPEEA negotiation team, said the offer “gives us better medical benefits, better dental benefits, more vacation time and a decent set of salary pools for raises.” Wes Gardner, vice chairman of the team, called the proposal “a huge increase for our SPEEA family” and said it “hits most of the areas we tried to address.”

A Boeing spokesperson said the company was "pleased" the bargaining committee endorsed its Best and Final Offer and encouraged employees to vote in favor. The bargaining centered on employees at Boeing’s Wichita operations, which the company reacquired from Spirit AeroSystems after a $4.7 billion takeover that closed Dec. 8, 2025. Negotiations began only after the transaction closed because of labor‑law timing.

Voting will be conducted electronically through a secure system, with an in‑person paper‑ballot option at SPEEA’s Wichita union hall. Only dues‑paying members of the Wichita Technical and Professional Unit are eligible to cast ballots. A simple majority of votes cast is required to ratify; if approved, the terms are scheduled to take effect Feb. 1, 2026. The incumbent contract runs through Jan. 31, 2026, making timely ratification essential to avoid gaps in coverage.

From a budgetary perspective, the deal represents a meaningful near‑term and recurring cost for Boeing. The $6,000 bonus alone amounts to about $9.6 million in one‑time cash outlays for the covered unit before payroll taxes and other deductions. The scheduled wage pools and the start of a 10 percent retirement match in 2027 will raise annual compensation costs, and the company will need to absorb those expenses while integrating the Wichita operations into its broader supply and labor structure.

For workers, the tentative agreement promises higher take‑home pay, stronger retirement contributions and improved benefits that union leaders say bring Wichita staff more in line with other Boeing non‑union employees and unionized counterparts. The final outcome will hinge on the Jan. 30 ratification vote; SPEEA and Boeing communications after the deadline will determine whether the package moves into effect Feb. 1.